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= written by Amr Khaled =

11 *  Widows

Widows

This article was written by Mr. Amr Khaled for Almara’a Alyawm Magazine (The Woman Today), on April 27,2004 :

In the previous article I mentioned that if six percent of all Muslim women (about 60 million) were to exert an effort of one hour daily to serve Islam, they would add eighteen billion hours to the Islamic work scale every year.  These eighteen billion hours are sufficient (by Allah's power and strength) to change the imbalanced equation which our nation has submitted to.

I've clarified that such an effort would act as a proof of loyalty and affiliation to our Ummah and religion, the religion without which we would be nothing in this life nor in the hereafter.

Today, with Allah’s will, we are going to open the doors! Doors of working and exerting effort for Islam, an area where a Muslim woman can share the effort strongly and effectively without neglecting her basic duties such as: caring, bringing her children up, and providing a comfort residence for her husband.  Before opening the doors, it's necessary to refer to an important concept applied by the Ummah’s jurists and scholars. The concept is that men and women are equal in their religious duties until a certain text (Qur’an or Sunnah) appears to distinguish one or prevent one  from a certain work.

Now, what are the avenues through which a Muslim woman can do her best to help her Ummah and religion in a persistent and regularly way?

The first is the social field; there are many complicated problems in the social reality of our Ummah that consume and dominate the individual and prevent him or her from having any contribution to Islam.  If Muslim women could decrease the intensity of these problems, they will be relieved in this life and in the Hereafter. Relief in the Hereafter happens by relieving its many distress, The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "The one who relieves a Muslim's distress in life, Allah will relieve his distress on the Day of Judgment".

Relief in this life comes in the form of Allah's company and support throughout a person’s life, and this is the ultimate generosity and grace one could ever wish to receive.  As the Messenger of Allah(SWT) said: "Allah supports man as long as man supports his brothers".  In another narration, he said: "If anyone assists his brothers, Allah will do the same with him". This means that if any one does his best to serve his brother, Allah will support him.  Therefore, nothing could obstruct Allah's (SWT) aid as his order is between the “B” and the “E”  (Allah says “Be” and things are) .

Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, "Verily! Our Word unto a thing when We intend it, is only that We say unto it 'Be'- and it is". (TMQ,  An-Nahl:40)[1].

This is a great bargain that a wise man/woman wouldn't neglect . After we agreed that a woman’s portion of work would be seven hours a weeks, we'll try to make her share in society realistic and easily accomplishable. A Muslim sister is requested to overcome the obstacles and not to add further restrictions.

How can the Muslim woman help her sister’s need, who has become a widow and is obliged to work and earn her orphaned children's living in addition to her own?

There are several aspects for help such as: giving her charities continuously to supply her and her children and keeping her at home for caring about other things at her attention.  However, if it isn't easy for her to do so or the Muslim woman cannot keep the charity consistent.

A Muslim woman may take care of her sister's children until the mother comes back.  And there are two ways to undertake this mission;  by welcoming the widow's children to her home or by moving to the widow's home. There is no harm done if six Muslim women who have suitable circumstances can distribute six days of the week among them (except the weekend) in order to help their  widowed sister and her children. How nice it would be if  they are neighbors to facilitate the task.

What will the woman have done for her sister in these hard conditions?

From the material aspect, everyone has provided six hours weekly, that are previously agreed upon,  which amounts to one hour daily.  As for the psychological aspect, each one has helped the orphans, which doesn’t necessarily mean financially, but also by providing the care and the psychological nursing needed.

Moreover, the orphans and the widow supporter, if maintaining the correct intention, will be rewarded greatly by Allah. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,  "The orphan supporter and I are like this in paradise". He referred to his index and middle finger brought together to show the honor of this companionship for the orphan supporter.  As for the widow supporter, whether a man or woman, Allah will reward him or her because they are considered be a mujahid (a striver for Allah's sake).  Allah will preserve, by His mercy, the good deeds of this Muslim sister who has helped relieve her sister’s distress and exerted efforts for her children.

Allah (SWT) will reward her for spending one hour daily with the orphans, thus causing the mother's mind to be at rest.  In addition to this, this Muslim sister has kept Muslim children safe. They are away from any moral destruction and any psychological harms as a result of the mother’s absence. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, "And what ever good you send before you for yourselves(i.e. Nawafil non-obligatory acts of worship: prayers, charity, fasting, Hajj and Umrah), you will certainly find it with Allah better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah.  Verily, allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most- Merciful”. (TMQ,  Al-Muzzamel:20).

A reader may ask, "What does Islam benefit from this effort that appears to benefit small numbers of individuals?  Islam has benefited from this effort in many angles and directions.  Firstly, it bring these orphans up correctly in order to keep them away from being destructive elements in their own societies.

Instead, it makes them productive beings in this society.  Secondly, it relieves the mother so that it gives her a chance to learn about Islam so that she may do her best for it.  Thirdly, it gives a good example of the pious Muslim woman whose interests are not only within words but also deeds.  Fourthly, it tends to raise the value of religion and piety inside the children and their mother.  Hence, they recourse to it lovingly and appreciatively because of what they've found in the Muslims women’s strong will and ambitions.

Therefore, she has helped the sons' and their mother's mentality; the good deed is related to Islam and nothing else. 

Furthermore, she has strengthened their sense of belonging to Islam; she has guaranteed the future of Islam because she has made the sense of belonging to Islam a natural feeling for them. Thus, this sister has added another soldier in the way of Allah by her effort, as Islam needs these people desperately. It was once correctly said: "The work of one person affects a thousand people more than the words of a thousand people do to one person.”

May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon you.

To be continued…………

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