All Praise is due to Allah, we praise
Him, seek His help, and ask His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah
from the evil of our souls, and the adverse consequences of our deeds.
Whoever Allah guides, there is none that can misguide him, and whoever
He misguides then none can guide him.
I bear witness and testify that there is no deity that is worthy of worship except for Allah; He is alone, having no partners. I bear witness and testify that Muhammad, sal Allahu aleihi wa salam, is His servant, slave and messenger.
I bear witness and testify that there is no deity that is worthy of worship except for Allah; He is alone, having no partners. I bear witness and testify that Muhammad, sal Allahu aleihi wa salam, is His servant, slave and messenger.
O you who believe! Have taqwa of Allah, as He deserves, and die not except as Muslims.
(Glorious Qur'aan: Soorah Aal-'Imraan, 3: v102)
O mankind! Have taqwa of your Lord, Who created you from a single person, and from him, He created his wife, and from
these two, He created multitudes of men, and women. And have taqwa of Allah, through whom you demand your
mutual rights, and (do not cut off) the ties of kinship. Verily, Allah is Ever-Watching over you.
(Glorious Qur'aan: Soorah An-Nisaa', 4: v1)
O you who believe! Have taqwa of Allah, and say righteous speech. He will direct you to do righteous deeds
and He will forgive your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger
has indeed achieved the ultimate success.
(Glorious Qur'aan: Soorah Al-Ahzab, 33: v70-71)
(Glorious Qur'aan: Soorah Aal-'Imraan, 3: v102)
O mankind! Have taqwa of your Lord, Who created you from a single person, and from him, He created his wife, and from
these two, He created multitudes of men, and women. And have taqwa of Allah, through whom you demand your
mutual rights, and (do not cut off) the ties of kinship. Verily, Allah is Ever-Watching over you.
(Glorious Qur'aan: Soorah An-Nisaa', 4: v1)
O you who believe! Have taqwa of Allah, and say righteous speech. He will direct you to do righteous deeds
and He will forgive your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger
has indeed achieved the ultimate success.
(Glorious Qur'aan: Soorah Al-Ahzab, 33: v70-71)
As to what follows, then the best
speech is the Speech of Allah, and the best guidance is the guidance of
Muhammad (sallallahu aleihi wassalam). And the worst of affairs are
newly invented matters, and every innovation is a misguidance, and every
misguidance is in the Fire.
To proceed:
Abu Umaamah, radhiyAllahu anhu said, ‘The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu aleihi wassalam said:
“The excellence of the scholar over the worshipper is like my excellence over the lowermost of you. Indeed, Allah ‘azza wa jall, His angels, the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth, even the ant in its hole and the fish, supplicate for the one who teaches good to the people.’”
Abu Umaamah, radhiyAllahu anhu said, ‘The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu aleihi wassalam said:
“The excellence of the scholar over the worshipper is like my excellence over the lowermost of you. Indeed, Allah ‘azza wa jall, His angels, the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth, even the ant in its hole and the fish, supplicate for the one who teaches good to the people.’”
(At-Tirmidhi,
5/50, who says it is ‘hasan sahih’. It has also been declared sahih by
Shaykh Al-Albani (rahimahullah) in Sahih At-Tirmidhi)
Abu Darda, radhiyAllahu anhu said, ‘The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu aleihi wassalam said:
“He who takes a path in search of knowledge Allah will direct him to tread a path from the paths of Paradise. The angels lower their wings for the student of knowledge in approval of what he does. All in the heavens and the earth and the fish in the depths of the water seek forgiveness for the scholar, and the superiority of the scholar over the worshipper is like the superiority of the full moon at night over the rest of the stars. Verily, the scholars are the inheritors of the prophets. Verily, the prophets did not bequeath dinars or dirhams. All they left behind was the knowledge, so whoever takes it has indeed acquired a great fortune.’”
(Al-Musnad 5/196, Abu Dawud 3/317, At-Tirmidhi 5/49, Ibn Majah 1/81, Ad-Darimi 1/98, Ibn Hibban 1/152. Declared sahih by Shaykh Al-Albani (rahimahullah) in Sahih Al-Jaami)
“He who takes a path in search of knowledge Allah will direct him to tread a path from the paths of Paradise. The angels lower their wings for the student of knowledge in approval of what he does. All in the heavens and the earth and the fish in the depths of the water seek forgiveness for the scholar, and the superiority of the scholar over the worshipper is like the superiority of the full moon at night over the rest of the stars. Verily, the scholars are the inheritors of the prophets. Verily, the prophets did not bequeath dinars or dirhams. All they left behind was the knowledge, so whoever takes it has indeed acquired a great fortune.’”
(Al-Musnad 5/196, Abu Dawud 3/317, At-Tirmidhi 5/49, Ibn Majah 1/81, Ad-Darimi 1/98, Ibn Hibban 1/152. Declared sahih by Shaykh Al-Albani (rahimahullah) in Sahih Al-Jaami)
“And that those who have been given knowledge may know that it (the Qur’aan) is the truth from your Lord,
and that they may believe therein, and that their hearts may submit to it with humility.
And verily, Allah is the Guide of those who believe, to the straight path.”
(Glorious Qur'aan: Soorah Al-Hajj, 22: v54)
“It is only those who have knowledge amongst His slaves who fear Allah.
Verily, Allah is All Mighty, Oft-Forgiving”
(Glorious Qur'aan: Soorah Faatir, 35: v28)
“But those among them who are well-grounded in knowledge and the believers, believe what has been
sent down to you and what was sent down before you, and those who establish prayer and give zakat
and believe in Allah and the Last Day, it is to them we shall give a great reward.”
(Glorious Qur'aan: Soorah An-Nisaa', 4: v162)
and that they may believe therein, and that their hearts may submit to it with humility.
And verily, Allah is the Guide of those who believe, to the straight path.”
(Glorious Qur'aan: Soorah Al-Hajj, 22: v54)
“It is only those who have knowledge amongst His slaves who fear Allah.
Verily, Allah is All Mighty, Oft-Forgiving”
(Glorious Qur'aan: Soorah Faatir, 35: v28)
“But those among them who are well-grounded in knowledge and the believers, believe what has been
sent down to you and what was sent down before you, and those who establish prayer and give zakat
and believe in Allah and the Last Day, it is to them we shall give a great reward.”
(Glorious Qur'aan: Soorah An-Nisaa', 4: v162)
So we see that seeking Islamic
knowledge is very important in Islam and this is for the men and the
women. It is easy for us, as busy wives and mothers, to make excuses for
not studying important subjects such as the Arabic language, correct
aqeedah, tawhid, and biographies of the righteous. And yet it is we who
are our children’s first and perhaps most influential teachers, so what
we learn we will pass on to them, insha’Allah, assisting them and
ourselves in righteousness and increasing their imaan.
What follows is a list, authored by the Shaykh himself, of Shaykh Abi Abdur Rahman Muqbil Ibn Hadi Al-Wadi’ee’s (rahimahullah) female students taken from the book “Tarjimatu Abi Abdur Rahman Muqbil Ibn Hadi Al-Wadi’ee”.
As you read these names and the comments and accomplishments of these students of knowledge, remind yourself that each one is a woman who, like you, has interests and obligations and family, and yet she takes the time to exert herself in seeking Islamic knowledge to benefit herself and others. Insha’Allah may this brief listing encourage Muslim women to do what they can to tread down the path of knowledge, that path which, as the hadith of Abu Darda relates, will lead her to tread down a path from the paths of Paradise.
1. The righteous Shaykha Umm Abdullah Bint Muqbil Ibn Hadi, Al-Wadi’eeya:
What follows is a list, authored by the Shaykh himself, of Shaykh Abi Abdur Rahman Muqbil Ibn Hadi Al-Wadi’ee’s (rahimahullah) female students taken from the book “Tarjimatu Abi Abdur Rahman Muqbil Ibn Hadi Al-Wadi’ee”.
As you read these names and the comments and accomplishments of these students of knowledge, remind yourself that each one is a woman who, like you, has interests and obligations and family, and yet she takes the time to exert herself in seeking Islamic knowledge to benefit herself and others. Insha’Allah may this brief listing encourage Muslim women to do what they can to tread down the path of knowledge, that path which, as the hadith of Abu Darda relates, will lead her to tread down a path from the paths of Paradise.
1. The righteous Shaykha Umm Abdullah Bint Muqbil Ibn Hadi, Al-Wadi’eeya:
She is one who loves the Sunnah and
calls to Allah upon knowledge and understanding, and is a strong
researcher who hates blind following and strives on understanding the
proof and acting upon it. Her students love her and she loves them with a
strong love, and Allah benefited her students by her, and made some of
them callers to Allah as well.
She teaches them in “As-Sunnah” by Ibn Abi ‘Aasim, and “Qatar An-Nada” and she has previously taught “Al-Qawlu Al-Mafeed” by the esteemed Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab Al-Wasaabee, and “Fath Al-Majeed Sharh Kitab At-Tawhid” and other books as well.
And from what she has authored are “Naseehatee Li An-Nisaa” (My Advice to the Women), which has been published (by Dar Al-Athaar). Also “As-Saheeh Al-Musnad Min As-Shama’il Al-Muhamadiyah” published (by Dar Al-Athaar). And a treatise that is waiting to be printed, “Al-’Ilm Wa Al’Ulema”.
She is currently working on the verification and explanation of “As-Sunnah” by Ibn Abi ‘Aasim including the fiqh of some of the matters and the benefits of others, the religious importance of traveling for knowledge, and the rulings on the ahadith, authentic and weak, without blindly following anyone from the people of this time or other than them. She is also working on “As-Saheeh Al-Musnad Min As-Seerati An-Nabwiyah” and she also has a beneficial commentary on “Bulugh Al Maraam” by Al-Hafidh Ibn Hajar.
All of this she does along with answering letters that are sent to her from within Yemen and outside of it, and Allah has made it sufficient for her to continue the journey in the service of the Prophet’s Sunnah, and may Allah protect her and her students from ignorant partisanship, Ameen.
2. And she has an older sister, Umm Abdullah Al-Wadi’eeya:
She teaches them in “As-Sunnah” by Ibn Abi ‘Aasim, and “Qatar An-Nada” and she has previously taught “Al-Qawlu Al-Mafeed” by the esteemed Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab Al-Wasaabee, and “Fath Al-Majeed Sharh Kitab At-Tawhid” and other books as well.
And from what she has authored are “Naseehatee Li An-Nisaa” (My Advice to the Women), which has been published (by Dar Al-Athaar). Also “As-Saheeh Al-Musnad Min As-Shama’il Al-Muhamadiyah” published (by Dar Al-Athaar). And a treatise that is waiting to be printed, “Al-’Ilm Wa Al’Ulema”.
She is currently working on the verification and explanation of “As-Sunnah” by Ibn Abi ‘Aasim including the fiqh of some of the matters and the benefits of others, the religious importance of traveling for knowledge, and the rulings on the ahadith, authentic and weak, without blindly following anyone from the people of this time or other than them. She is also working on “As-Saheeh Al-Musnad Min As-Seerati An-Nabwiyah” and she also has a beneficial commentary on “Bulugh Al Maraam” by Al-Hafidh Ibn Hajar.
All of this she does along with answering letters that are sent to her from within Yemen and outside of it, and Allah has made it sufficient for her to continue the journey in the service of the Prophet’s Sunnah, and may Allah protect her and her students from ignorant partisanship, Ameen.
2. And she has an older sister, Umm Abdullah Al-Wadi’eeya:
She is one who loves the good. She
teaches within the limits of her capabilities what she is able with all
of her responsibilities. May Allah give us success and guide her to
good. Verily He is Bountiful and Generous.
3. Umm Shu’ayb As-Salafiyyah Al-Wadi’eeya (and she is a wife of Shaykh Muqbil):
3. Umm Shu’ayb As-Salafiyyah Al-Wadi’eeya (and she is a wife of Shaykh Muqbil):
An excellent woman who fears Allah and
who has love for the sunnah and the people of the sunnah. She has
excellent character. She teaches her sisters in Qur’aan memorization
with tajwid. In addition, she has studied with some of her sisters “Al-Qawlu Al-Mafeed” from our esteemed brother, the shaykh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab Al-Wasaabee. She has also studied “At-Tihfat As-Sunniya” and “Al-Mutamama” and “Siffat As-Salat” by Shaykh Al-Albani. Umm Shu’ayb has authored, “As-Saheeh Al-Musnad Min Fadaa’il Ahl Baytu An-Nabawi” with clarification of what it needs from the explanation of some of the words. She is now working on “As-Saheeh Al-Musnad Min Al-Adhab An-Nabawi”,
as well as reviewing books of explanation and recalling some of the
benefits and elucidating some of the general expressions in the book.
And may Allah grant her good.
She continues upon good and gaining beneficial knowledge. She attends my lessons and other lectures from behind a curtain. May Allah keep her firm and strong on the truth and benefit Islam and the Muslims by her. And in spite of all this, she serves me and helps me with my research as well as one could possibly wish. And may Allah grant her good.
4. Umm Salama As-Salafiyyah (and she is a wife of Shaykh Muqbil):
She continues upon good and gaining beneficial knowledge. She attends my lessons and other lectures from behind a curtain. May Allah keep her firm and strong on the truth and benefit Islam and the Muslims by her. And in spite of all this, she serves me and helps me with my research as well as one could possibly wish. And may Allah grant her good.
4. Umm Salama As-Salafiyyah (and she is a wife of Shaykh Muqbil):
An excellent, ascetic caller to Allah on firm knowledge, and she has excellent character. She teaches her sisters from “At-Tihfat
As-Sunniya”, “Al-Mutamama”, “Al-Baa’ith Al-Hatheeth”, “Al-Qawlu
Al-Mafeed”, “Al-Aqeedatu Al-Wasatiyyah”, “Al-Mufrad Al-’Ilm” and “Al-Mulhah” through memorization and studying the explanations. And one of her books, “Al-Intisa Lill-Muminaat”, is
under publication, as well as a refutation of Az-Zandaani that she
authored, which is an extremely beneficial research work. And she is now
working on “Al-Adab Al- Mufrad,” discussing
what needs to be discussed regarding the narrators in the chains of
narration. She also mentions the points of benefit from the fiqh of
hadeeth, and the explanation of strange words within it and the
verification of sources of the ahadith as needed. She has not ceased to
continue upon the good and learning from the beneficial knowledge. She
attends my classes and other lectures from behind a curtain.
May Allah make her firm upon the truth and benefit Islam and the Muslims by her. And in spite of all this, she serves me and helps me with my research as well as one could possibly wish. And may Allah grant her good.
5. Umm Ibrahim Al-Wadi’eeya
6. Umm Ibrahim Bint Hassan Ibn Ali Isa Al-Jaybutiyah then Al-Hadhramiyyah:
May Allah make her firm upon the truth and benefit Islam and the Muslims by her. And in spite of all this, she serves me and helps me with my research as well as one could possibly wish. And may Allah grant her good.
5. Umm Ibrahim Al-Wadi’eeya
6. Umm Ibrahim Bint Hassan Ibn Ali Isa Al-Jaybutiyah then Al-Hadhramiyyah:
A woman who calls to Allah.
7. Umm Ibrahim Khadijah Al-Haashidiyya:
7. Umm Ibrahim Khadijah Al-Haashidiyya:
An excellent woman. She has understanding and is diligent regarding the lessons.
8. Umm Usamah Al-Mahwitiya:
8. Umm Usamah Al-Mahwitiya:
Memorizer of Allah’s book.
9. Umm Usamah Nurah Ibn Ali Al-Abbaasiyah Al-Amraaniyah:
9. Umm Usamah Nurah Ibn Ali Al-Abbaasiyah Al-Amraaniyah:
An excellent woman caller; memorizes the Qur’aan. She benefits her sisters and is one who benefits.
10. Umm Asma Bint Ali Jibreel:
10. Umm Asma Bint Ali Jibreel:
And outstanding woman, diligent - she has understanding and knowledge.
11. Umm Ayyoub Al-Wadi’eeya
12. Umm Hudhaifah Bint Al-Furjaanee Al-Libiyah:
11. Umm Ayyoub Al-Wadi’eeya
12. Umm Hudhaifah Bint Al-Furjaanee Al-Libiyah:
For six years she has sought knowledge in Dammaj and she is an excellent woman. She has understanding and knowledge.
13. Umm Saalim Al-Waadi’eeya:
13. Umm Saalim Al-Waadi’eeya:
She is an excellent woman and an effective lecturer.
14. Umm Salamah Hind Al-Haashidiya
15. Umm Sulaim Huda Bint ‘Ali Al-’Abbaasiya Al-’Amraaniyah:
14. Umm Salamah Hind Al-Haashidiya
15. Umm Sulaim Huda Bint ‘Ali Al-’Abbaasiya Al-’Amraaniyah:
An outstanding, hardworking woman, persevering on participating in the lessons.
16. Umm Sulayman Al-Shawkaaniya:
16. Umm Sulayman Al-Shawkaaniya:
An outstanding woman, possessing understanding and knowledge.
17. Umm Saabir Bint Al-Haamid:
17. Umm Saabir Bint Al-Haamid:
An outstanding woman who benefits.
18. Umm Taariq Bint ‘Ali Ibn ‘Eedroos Al-Haashimiyyah Al-Hajiya
19. Umm ‘Abdur Rahman Ibtisaam Bint ‘Imraan Ibn Hussain Ibn Saalih Al-Aswad Al-Zaawee Al-Libiyah:
18. Umm Taariq Bint ‘Ali Ibn ‘Eedroos Al-Haashimiyyah Al-Hajiya
19. Umm ‘Abdur Rahman Ibtisaam Bint ‘Imraan Ibn Hussain Ibn Saalih Al-Aswad Al-Zaawee Al-Libiyah:
An outstanding, diligent woman, she has understanding and is hardworking on her lessons.
20. Umm ‘Abdur Rahman Bint Naasir Ibn Karoo Al-‘Adiniya:
20. Umm ‘Abdur Rahman Bint Naasir Ibn Karoo Al-‘Adiniya:
She has memorized twenty juz of Qur’aan.
21. Umm ‘Abdullah Al-Bi’daaniya Bint ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Ali Ibn Hameed Al-Khayaat:
21. Umm ‘Abdullah Al-Bi’daaniya Bint ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Ali Ibn Hameed Al-Khayaat:
She teaches our sisters in grammar, the
grading of ahaadith, and tawhid and is a lecturer. She is close to
finishing memorization of the Qur’aan.
22. Umm ‘Abdullah Bint Saalim Al-Wasaabi:
22. Umm ‘Abdullah Bint Saalim Al-Wasaabi:
Memorizer of Allah’s Book.
23. Umm ‘Abdullah Bint ‘Abdullah Al-Wasaabi:
23. Umm ‘Abdullah Bint ‘Abdullah Al-Wasaabi:
Memorizer of Allah’s Book.
24. Umm ‘Abdullah Bint ‘Abdullah Ibn Ahmad Al-Salawiya:
24. Umm ‘Abdullah Bint ‘Abdullah Ibn Ahmad Al-Salawiya:
Memorizer of the Qur’aan.
25. Umm ‘Amaar Al-Maaramiya Al-’Adaniya:
25. Umm ‘Amaar Al-Maaramiya Al-’Adaniya:
An excellent woman caller and memorizer of the Qur’aan and she has a work currently being published, “Bulugh Al-Hujja Fi Sitr Wahida”.
26. Umm ‘Amr Al-Wadi’eeya:
26. Umm ‘Amr Al-Wadi’eeya:
An excellent woman, she memorizes
Qur’aan and she is now working on a verification on Ash-Shawkani’s
treatise on the prohibited pictures.
27. Umm Al-Fidaa Al-’Adaniya:
27. Umm Al-Fidaa Al-’Adaniya:
An outstanding, hardworking woman.
28. Umm Al-Fadal Bint Hussain Thaamir
29. Umm Maazan Bint ‘Abdullah Ahmad ‘Abdaan:
28. Umm Al-Fadal Bint Hussain Thaamir
29. Umm Maazan Bint ‘Abdullah Ahmad ‘Abdaan:
An outstanding female caller.
30. Umm Mas’oub Bint Balqaasim Ibn Muhammad Al-Surmaani Al-Libiya:
30. Umm Mas’oub Bint Balqaasim Ibn Muhammad Al-Surmaani Al-Libiya:
An excellent, hardworking woman.
31. Umm Mas’ab Bint Muhammad Ibn Thaabit Ibn ‘Aqlaan Al-Hakimi Al-’Adaniya:
31. Umm Mas’ab Bint Muhammad Ibn Thaabit Ibn ‘Aqlaan Al-Hakimi Al-’Adaniya:
An excellent, beneficial woman.
32. Umm Mas’ab Mariam Al-’Adaniya:
32. Umm Mas’ab Mariam Al-’Adaniya:
An outstanding woman who loves the
sunnah, loves beneficial knowledge, and calls to Allah upon knowledge
and understanding. May Allah strengthen us and unite us upon the truth,
Ameen.
33. Umm Mu’aadh Al-Warashafaaniya Al-Libiyah:
33. Umm Mu’aadh Al-Warashafaaniya Al-Libiyah:
She is memorizing “Al-Aqeedatu Al-Wasatiyyah”.
34. Umm Musa Bint ‘Umar Al-Hushabiya:
34. Umm Musa Bint ‘Umar Al-Hushabiya:
And she has understanding and is memorizing the Noble Qur’aan.
35. Shahidah Umm Abdullah Fawrad Al-Britanniya Al-Muhaajira:
35. Shahidah Umm Abdullah Fawrad Al-Britanniya Al-Muhaajira:
And she is a woman aspiring to spend
her time diligently in obtaining the knowledge, spending a great deal of
her time in the masjid, reviewing and benefiting.
Alhamdulillah, I was recently blessed with the opportunity of sitting with Umm Salamah, may Allah preserve her, one of the wives of Shaykh Muqbil, rahimahullah mentioned earlier. Alhamdulillah, there were many blessings in this, and I would like to share a few of them with you now.
The women’s musallah is small at this masjid, but mash’Allah, it was full of sisters who had come to hear Umm Salamah speak, not because it was “Umm Salamah”, but because she is a person with a lot of knowledge, a person who is willing to share her knowledge with others, a person who learned through sitting with one of the major scholars of our time, alhamdulillah. There was none of that sort of “celebrity” factor that seems to creep in so often in the States. And indeed, when she came in, she looked just like the rest of us, no fanfare, no entourage, nothing like that. She came in and quietly made her two rak’aat, then sat in the chair next to me and my daughter, Sukhailah.
The next thing that made an impression on me was her choice of subject matter. Often we women get caught up with the idea that we want to hear about “women’s issues”, like marriage, family, dealing with menstruation and child bearing, hijab, etc. The fact of the matter is, all of the vast sea of knowledge that Islam encompasses deals with women’s issues. And the first and foremost of these is aqeedah, alhamdulillah. Umm Salamah spoke about khawf, or fear of Allah, and rajah, or hope in Allah’s mercy. She stressed that though most of us may feel that at times we are alone, and could get away with whatever we like, Allah is always aware of what we are doing and what is in our hearts. She also mentioned how the Jews and Christians are both astray in these matters. Alhamdulillah, it reminded me of my class of the evening before, which is an explanation of Usool Thalathah, and made me grateful again for the interconnectedness and wholeness of this beautiful deen, alhamdulillah.
After her brief talk, sisters wrote questions down and sent them up to her. Here is another thing that was made apparent to me no matter where we are, in what time we are living, we all are dealing with the same issues, masha’Allah. There were questions about prayer, purification, aqeedah, and more. One thing that she addressed more than once was the issue of resembling the disbelievers. She stressed that this is truly dangerous, as it can weaken our deen and little by little take us away from Islam. She also answered a question by a sister who was attending the university here in Sana’a, which is coeducational, with men and women in the same classroom, though in different parts of it. She said that this was haram, and brought her proofs, and again stressed the danger of that little by little blackening our hearts with the doubtful things, things that lead to the worse matters. The sister who asked the question was almost in tears, but she said that she was going to find another way to study, insha’Allah.
After the talk, Sukhailah and I met Umm Salamah, and she was very gracious and kind. The first thing she asked was where we are studying, and encouraged us to continue to seek knowledge however we could. She had a minute for everyone who wanted to meet her, and answered more questions from sisters as she was preparing to leave.
Alhamdulillah, sisters, I would like to urge you all (and I include myself in this as well) to seek out the knowledge of this wonderful deen of ours. It is such a deep, deep well that one can draw from, and the result is a refreshment of the soul and a greater appreciation of the blessing from Allah that we call Islam.
I would like to end with some words from Shaykh Muqbil, rahimahullah from his introduction to “As-Sahih Al Musnad Min Fadaail Ahl Bayt An Nabi” by Umm Shuayb Al-Wadi’eeya.
“To Proceed:
Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala says:
Alhamdulillah, I was recently blessed with the opportunity of sitting with Umm Salamah, may Allah preserve her, one of the wives of Shaykh Muqbil, rahimahullah mentioned earlier. Alhamdulillah, there were many blessings in this, and I would like to share a few of them with you now.
The women’s musallah is small at this masjid, but mash’Allah, it was full of sisters who had come to hear Umm Salamah speak, not because it was “Umm Salamah”, but because she is a person with a lot of knowledge, a person who is willing to share her knowledge with others, a person who learned through sitting with one of the major scholars of our time, alhamdulillah. There was none of that sort of “celebrity” factor that seems to creep in so often in the States. And indeed, when she came in, she looked just like the rest of us, no fanfare, no entourage, nothing like that. She came in and quietly made her two rak’aat, then sat in the chair next to me and my daughter, Sukhailah.
The next thing that made an impression on me was her choice of subject matter. Often we women get caught up with the idea that we want to hear about “women’s issues”, like marriage, family, dealing with menstruation and child bearing, hijab, etc. The fact of the matter is, all of the vast sea of knowledge that Islam encompasses deals with women’s issues. And the first and foremost of these is aqeedah, alhamdulillah. Umm Salamah spoke about khawf, or fear of Allah, and rajah, or hope in Allah’s mercy. She stressed that though most of us may feel that at times we are alone, and could get away with whatever we like, Allah is always aware of what we are doing and what is in our hearts. She also mentioned how the Jews and Christians are both astray in these matters. Alhamdulillah, it reminded me of my class of the evening before, which is an explanation of Usool Thalathah, and made me grateful again for the interconnectedness and wholeness of this beautiful deen, alhamdulillah.
After her brief talk, sisters wrote questions down and sent them up to her. Here is another thing that was made apparent to me no matter where we are, in what time we are living, we all are dealing with the same issues, masha’Allah. There were questions about prayer, purification, aqeedah, and more. One thing that she addressed more than once was the issue of resembling the disbelievers. She stressed that this is truly dangerous, as it can weaken our deen and little by little take us away from Islam. She also answered a question by a sister who was attending the university here in Sana’a, which is coeducational, with men and women in the same classroom, though in different parts of it. She said that this was haram, and brought her proofs, and again stressed the danger of that little by little blackening our hearts with the doubtful things, things that lead to the worse matters. The sister who asked the question was almost in tears, but she said that she was going to find another way to study, insha’Allah.
After the talk, Sukhailah and I met Umm Salamah, and she was very gracious and kind. The first thing she asked was where we are studying, and encouraged us to continue to seek knowledge however we could. She had a minute for everyone who wanted to meet her, and answered more questions from sisters as she was preparing to leave.
Alhamdulillah, sisters, I would like to urge you all (and I include myself in this as well) to seek out the knowledge of this wonderful deen of ours. It is such a deep, deep well that one can draw from, and the result is a refreshment of the soul and a greater appreciation of the blessing from Allah that we call Islam.
I would like to end with some words from Shaykh Muqbil, rahimahullah from his introduction to “As-Sahih Al Musnad Min Fadaail Ahl Bayt An Nabi” by Umm Shuayb Al-Wadi’eeya.
“To Proceed:
Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala says:
Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Maruf (Islamic monotheism
and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and
all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful.
(Glorious Qur'aan: Soorah Aal-'Imraan, 3: v104)
and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and
all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful.
(Glorious Qur'aan: Soorah Aal-'Imraan, 3: v104)
and Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala says:
The believers, men and women, are Auliya’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another; they enjoin (on the people)
Al-Ma’ruf (Islamic monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (polytheism and
disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); they perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-salat), and give the Zakat,
and obey Allah and His Messenger, Allah will have Mercy on them. Surely, Allah is All-Mighty, All Wise.
(Glorious Qur'aan: Soorah At-Tawbah, 9: v71)
Al-Ma’ruf (Islamic monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (polytheism and
disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); they perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-salat), and give the Zakat,
and obey Allah and His Messenger, Allah will have Mercy on them. Surely, Allah is All-Mighty, All Wise.
(Glorious Qur'aan: Soorah At-Tawbah, 9: v71)
and Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala says:
There is no good in most of their secret talks save (in) him who orders Sadaqah (charity in Allah’s cause), or Ma’ruf (Islamic
monotheism and all the good and righteous deeds which Allah has ordained), or conciliation between mankind;
and he who does this, seeking the good pleasure of Allah, We shall give him a great reward.
(Glorious Qur'aan: Soorah An-Nisaa', 4: v114)
monotheism and all the good and righteous deeds which Allah has ordained), or conciliation between mankind;
and he who does this, seeking the good pleasure of Allah, We shall give him a great reward.
(Glorious Qur'aan: Soorah An-Nisaa', 4: v114)
These verses include both the men and the women, as when Allah ta’ala says,
And perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-salat), and give Zakat, and obey the Messenger
(Muhammad, sallallahu aleihi wassalam) that you may receive mercy (from Allah).
(Glorious Qur'aan: Soorah An-Nur, 24: v56)
(Muhammad, sallallahu aleihi wassalam) that you may receive mercy (from Allah).
(Glorious Qur'aan: Soorah An-Nur, 24: v56)
He includes the men and the women.
And Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala gave success to a good group of women who have striven for the beneficial knowledge, and the practice of it, and who call to Allah. And from them the teachers, and from them the authors, and from them the callers to Allah on clear, correct knowledge.
And Allah benefits us with them, and with them is the best example in Aishah and Umm Salamah and Hafsa, and the rest of the Prophet’s women, and a large group of the female sahabah and from the tabaa’ieen (those who followed them), such as Hafsah Bint Sireen, ‘Amarah Bint Abdur-Rahman and Umm Darda As-Saghra, and they have spread by their examples, radhiyAllahu 'anhuma much good. And truly the women they are the twin halves of the men, except in situations which are made clear through evidence.”
Subhanaka Allahummah bihamdik wa Laailaha illa anta, wa astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayk
Umm Mujahid Khadijah Bint Lacina
Rabia at-Thani 4, 1424 Sana’a, Yemen
And Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala gave success to a good group of women who have striven for the beneficial knowledge, and the practice of it, and who call to Allah. And from them the teachers, and from them the authors, and from them the callers to Allah on clear, correct knowledge.
And Allah benefits us with them, and with them is the best example in Aishah and Umm Salamah and Hafsa, and the rest of the Prophet’s women, and a large group of the female sahabah and from the tabaa’ieen (those who followed them), such as Hafsah Bint Sireen, ‘Amarah Bint Abdur-Rahman and Umm Darda As-Saghra, and they have spread by their examples, radhiyAllahu 'anhuma much good. And truly the women they are the twin halves of the men, except in situations which are made clear through evidence.”
Subhanaka Allahummah bihamdik wa Laailaha illa anta, wa astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayk
Umm Mujahid Khadijah Bint Lacina
Rabia at-Thani 4, 1424 Sana’a, Yemen
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