The Muslim Woman and Her Rabb

Previous Next

She Observes Nafil Fasts

The true Muslim woman also observes nafil fasts at times other than Ramadan, if it is not too difficult for her to do so. So she fasts the day of `Arafat, and `Ashura', and the ninth day of Muharram, because fasting on these days and others is one of the righteous deeds that may expiate sins, as the Prophet (PBUH) told us:

Abu Qutadah (RAA) said:

"The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was asked about fasting on the day of `Arafat, and he said: `It is an expiation for the sins of the previous year and the current year.'"65

Note: 65. Sahih Muslim, 8/51, Kitab al-siyam, bab istihbab siyam yawm 'Arafat.

Ibn `Abbas (RAA) said that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) fasted the day of `Ashura', and commanded others to fast on this day too.66

Note: 66. Sahih Muslim, 8/12, Kitab al-siyam, bab sawm yawm 'ashura'.

Abu Qutadah (RAA) said that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was asked about fasting on the day of `Ashura', and he said: "It is an expiation for the sins of the previous year."67

Note: 67. Sahih Muslim, 8/51, Kitab al-siyam, bab istihbab siyam yawm 'ashura'.

Ibn `Abbas said:

"The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: `If I am still alive next year, I will fast on the ninth day (of Muharram).'"68

Note: 68. Sahih Muslim, 8/13, Kitab al-siyam, bab sawm yawm 'ashura'.

Fasting six days of Shawwal is also encouraged, as the Prophet (PBUH) said:

"Whoever fasted Ramadan then followed it with six days of Shawwal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime."69

Note: 69. Sahih Muslim, 8/56, Kitab al-siyam: bab istahbab siyam sittat ayam min shawwal.

It is also recommended to fast for three days of each month, concerning which Abu Hurayrah (RAA) said:

"My dearest friend (i.e., the Prophet (PBUH)) advised me to do three things: to fast for three days of each month, to pray two rak`ahs of duha prayer, and never to sleep until I pray witr."70

Note: 70. Fath al-Bari, 4/226, Kitab al-sawm, bab siyam ayam al-bid; Sahih Muslim, 5/234, Kitab salat al-musafirin, bab istihbab salat al-duha.

Abu'l-Darda' (RAA) said:

"My beloved friend (PBUH) advised me to do three things that I shall never give up as long as I live: to fast three days of each month, to pray duha, and not to sleep until I have prayed witr."71

Note: 71. Sahih Muslim, 5/235, Kitab salat al-musafirin, bab istihbab salat al-duha.

`Abdullah ibn `Amr ibn al-`As (RAA) said:

"The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: `Fasting for three days of each month is like fasting for an entire lifetime.'"72

Note: 72. (Bukhari and Muslim), See Sharh al-Sunnah, 6/362, Kitab al-siyam, bab sawm al-dahr.

Some reports describe these three days as being the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth of each month, which are called al-ayyam al-bid (the white days); other reports state that the Prophet (PBUH) used to fast on three unspecified days of each month.

Mu`adhah al-`Adawiyyah said:

"I asked `A'ishah (May Allah be pleased with her), `Did the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to fast three days in each month?' She said, `Yes.' I asked her, `In which part of the month did he used to fast?' She said, `He did not mind in which part of the month he would fast.'"73

Note: 73. Sahih Muslim, 8/48, Kitab al-siyam, bab istihbab siyam thalathat ayyam min kulli shahr.

She goes on Hajj to the sacred house of Allah (SWT).

The true Muslim woman intends to go on Hajj to the House of Allah (SWT) when she is able to do so and it is easy for her to travel. Before she sets out on her journey, she takes the time to study the rules (ahkam) of Hajj in depth, so that when she begins to perform the rituals of Hajj, her actions will be based on true understanding and her Hajj will be complete according to the conditions laid down by the shari`ah. It will also be the equivalent of jihad for men, as the Prophet (PBUH) described it in a hadith narrated by `A'ishah (May Allah be pleased with her):

"I [`A'ishah] said: `O Messenger of Allah (PBUH), can we (women) not go out on military expeditions and fight in jihad with you (men)?' He said, `You (women) have the best of jihad, and the best of it is Hajj, a blessed Hajj.'" `A'ishah said, "I should never stop going for Hajj after I heard this from the Messenger of Allah (PBUH)."74

Note: 74. Fath al-Bari, 4/72, Kitab jaza' al-sayd, bab hajj al-nisa'.

She goes for `Umra

Just as Hajj is obligatory for the Muslim woman, so also is `Umra, if she is able to go - especially `Umra during Ramadan, the reward for which is equivalent to that for performing Hajj with the Prophet (PBUH). This is seen in the hadith narrated by Imam Bukhari from Ibn `Abbas (RAA) who said:

"When the Prophet (PBUH) came back from Hajj, he said to Umm Sinan al-Ansariyyah, `What stopped you from going to Hajj?' She said, `Abu so-and-so - meaning her husband - has two camels; he took one to go to Hajj, and we need the other to irrigate our land.' He said, `When Ramadan comes, go for `Umra, for `Umra in Ramadan is a Hajj.'" According to another report also narrated by Ibn `Abbas, the Prophet (PBUH) said: "For `Umra in Ramadan is equivalent to (performing) Hajj with me."75

Note: 75. Fath al-Bari, 4/72, Kitab jaza' al-sayd, bab hajj al-nisa'

Previous Next
 
Privacy  |  About Wister

Copyright © 2024 Wister All rights reserved