The Black Woman

'The Black Woman'

Posted 11/13/07

Paradise is for believing men and women.
We often hear speakers in Friday prayer or in admonitions talking about Paradise and all of us find our hearts, minds and thoughts tuned on to that 'frequency'. However, majority of the speakers talk about Paradise as if it were a house for men only. Reality is not like that. Paradise is for the believing men and women. The only price for it is sound belief in Allaah, love of Allaah and His Messenger salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam, and obedience to Allaah and His Messenger salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam.
In what follows are the glad tidings given by the Messenger of Allaah salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam, to some of the women among his companions.
* Narrated 'Aisha radhiya Allaahu anha: I did not feel jealous of any of the wives of the Prophet as much as I did of Khadija (although) she died before he married me, for I often heard him mentioning her, and Allaah had told him to give her the good tidings that she would have a palace of Qasab (i.e. pipes of precious stones and pearls in Paradise), and whenever he slaughtered a sheep, he would send her women-friends a good share of it. [Sahih al-Bukhari]
* Anas reports that the Messenger of Allaah, salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam, said: 'The best women of mankind are four: Mariam daughter of `Imraan, Assiya wife of Pharaoh, Khadija daughter of Khuwailid, and Fatima the daughter of the Messenger of Allaah.' [Bukhari and Muslim]
* Narrated Abu Huraira: Jibreel (Gabriel) came to the Prophet and said, 'O Allaah's Apostle! This is Khadija coming to you with a dish having meat soup (or some food or drink). When she reaches you, greet her on behalf of her Lord (i.e. Allaah) and on my behalf, and give her the glad tidings of having a Qasab (palace in Paradise) wherein there will be neither any noise nor any fatigue (trouble).' [al-Bukhari]
* Narrated 'Ata bin Abi Rabah: Ibn 'Abbas said to me, 'Shall I show you a woman of the people of Paradise?' I said, 'Yes.' He said, 'This black woman came to the Prophet and said, 'I get attacks of epilepsy and my body becomes uncovered; please invoke Allaah for me.' The Prophet said (to her), 'If you wish, be patient and you will have (enter) Paradise; and if you wish, I will invoke Allaah to cure you.' She said, 'I will remain patient,' and added, 'but I become uncovered, so please invoke Allaah for me that I may not become uncovered.' So he invoked Allaah for her.' [al-Bukhari]
The aforementioned ahadeeth clearly state the stature of some of the women given the glad tidings of Jannah (Paradise). What can the women of today do in order to achieve that pinnacle of success, Paradise?
To do so one MUST learn how these women lived, how they behaved, how they spoke, how they dressed, how they walked, etc. In this issue of al-Mu'minah we will try to learn from the black woman mentioned in the last Hadith, insha'Allaah. The black woman is not even known by her name, or her exact whereabouts, rather she is known by her deeds, her faith, her modesty, her chastity, and for her being an inmate of Paradise. And, in the end, that is what matters most. When Abdullah Ibn Abbas radhiya Allaahu anhu said 'this black woman', he did not mean to point at her race or to belittle her in any way. Indeed, he but meant to teach the people around him a great principle of Islam which is mentioned in the verse, [in the meaning of] : 'O people! We have created you from a man and a woman and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may know each other, verily the most honorable among you in the sight of Allaah are the most pious.'
The same principle is mentioned in the Hadith: 'Allaah does not look at your pictures (shapes) and bodies but He looks at your hearts (and your deeds).' [Muslim] She (the black woman) was physically sick, yet she sought cure in the du`a of the Messenger of Allaah, salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam. She knew that the one who cures, ash-Shaafee, is Allaah, and Allaah would answer the du`a of His Messenger salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam. We conclude from that that du`a heals all diseases be they of the body or of the heart. When commenting on this Hadith, al-Hafidh Ibn Hajar said: 'It is inferred from this hadith that the cure of diseases through du`a and supplication to Allaah (wa al-iltijaa' ilaa Allaah) is the most successful way of healing, but this cannot be fulfilled unless two conditions are satisfied: pure intention and sincere trust in the effectiveness of the du`a, and righteousness and reliance on Allaah.
The fact that the Prophet salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam said: 'If you wish, be patient and you will have (enter) Paradise' is a proof for the virtue and reward of patience during sickness. In another Hadith, he, salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam, says: 'Whenever a hardship affects the Muslim, he will be forgiven for it even when he is picked by a spike.' [Muslim]
And in another Hadith, also narrated by Muslim, Ummu as-Sa'ib cursed fever, to which the Prophet salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam told her: 'Do not curse fever, for it takes away the sins like the blaze [fire] takes away the impurities of iron.' The black women preferred the suffering of this world to getting the eternal reward of Paradise! She suffered from sickness, yet her pain and discomfort did not force her to forego pleasing Allaah! And no matter who one is, if one is in the path of Allaah, one will encounter difficulties, because Paradise is rounded by hardships. If things are easy and life is rosy, then one must check oneself; are we following the true Islam? Especially in this western environment it may be difficult for a young woman to wear the dress of modesty, the hijab (even though it is mandatory), not to talk to men and keep away from them (which is also mandatory), except if necessary.
All these may be difficult to achieve for some in the beginning, but when one overcomes herself for the sake of Allaah, then all the other obstacles become baseless. So, how to overcome oneself? By knowing Allaah by His names and attributes; by loving and obeying Allaah and His Messenger, salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam; and then the help of Allaah will come, insha'Allaah. She (the black woman) preferred being patient, but could not tolerate that her honor, her modesty and her chastity be damaged or even touched, nor that any part of her body be uncovered, though she had no control over it. Indeed she was a real slave and servant of Allaah; she was a faithful, a believer, a Muslimah, a righteous and pious woman, a truthful woman, and she was loyal to Allaah and His Messenger, salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam. Not only having these awe-inspiring qualities, she was also a wise and a great woman, as her memorable words rang ...: '... but I become uncovered, so please invoke Allaah for me that I may not become uncovered.'
If words are to be written in Gold, these words should be written in gold ... Remember this simple equation: Iman + Suffering + Patience = Paradise It can also be inferred that the righteous Muslim woman inherently loves to be covered, loves modesty and chastity and hates revealing her body and her beauty. The black woman, radhiya Allaahu `anha could sustain being so sick but could not bear to be uncovered in front of people.
The issue, one must understand, is not of black or white or Arab or non-Arab, rich or poor, noble[with lineage] or not, it is rather of a creed so deeply rooted in the hearts of Muslims like blood flows in the arteries and veins of people. They are those who are totally committed to Islam. Fourteen Hundred years of history showed that Muslim women could sustain hunger, poverty, sickness but could never sustain disobeying Allaah. The wife would tell her husband when leaving for work: 'Fear Allaah in us, for we can sustain hunger and thirst but we cannot sustain Hell fire [i.e. do not acquire unlawful earning].'
Dear sisters, ask yourself what made Khadija radhiya Allaahu `anha be greeted by Allaah Subhanahu wa Ta`ala and by Jibreel alaihi as-Salaam. Ask yourself what made Khadija be rewarded a Palace in Jannah as no one can imagine. Reading the biography of Khadija and others like her in greatness, one would wish to be at their service; to carry their shoes, wash their clothes, to serve them in any possible way and get du`a from them. It is sad that we just don't know the great personalities of this Ummah. If only we strive to study the lives of the righteous that preceded us, we would find in them immense guidance for our existence, and if we know them and follow them we could be in the forefront of mankind ...
It is said, 'Iman (faith) is not by hope, it is rather what occurs in the heart and is proved by the deeds [maa waqa`a fil qalbi wa saddaqahul-`amal].' We leave you to think about this and pray to Allaah to make us all among the dwellers of Paradise and to bestow upon us the faith and the patience that lead us to Paradise. And to bless the present Muslim Ummah with many women like the black woman, radhiya Allaahu `anha (may Allaah be pleased with her), who help us focus on the straight path ...
Acknowledgment: Some of the ideas were expressed in an article written by Haled Abu Sail which appeared in the Da`wah magazine, Iss. 1514, page 32.

An encouragement from Shaykh al-'Uthaymeen (rahimahu Allaahu ta'aalaa) to study the Arabic language

Posted 4/13/08

An encouragement from Shaykh al-'Uthaymeen (rahimahu Allaahu ta'aalaa) to study the Arabic language
In the name of Allaah the Most Merciful the Bestower of Mercy, All praises are for Allaah Lord of all the 'Aalameen (mankind, jinn all that exists), and peace & blessings be upon our prophet Muhammad, and on his family, and all of his Companions.

To proceed:
Verily the study of the science of an-Nahwu (Arabic grammar) is a noble science, a science of attainment, it is a means that brings one to obtain two important matters:
The first is understanding the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam for verily many of those who undrstand them both or the understanding of many regarding them both hesitate when it comes to the knowledge of Arabic grammar.
The second is to establish the tongue upon the tongue of the Arabs that which is the speech of Allaah azza wa jalla or that which has been revealed in the speech of Allaah Mighty & Majestic so due to that the knowledge of Arabic grammar is very important, but grammar at first difficult but towards the end becomes easy. And we bring an example of a house fashioned from sugar cane, its door being made of steel. Meaning, it will be difficult to enter but once one has entered it everything after that is easy so for this reason it is befitting for a person to strive upon learning the basics until the rest becomes easy for him. The one who says, "Verily Arabic grammar is hard" Deserves no attention. Even to the point that the student actually imagines that he cannot master it and this is not correct, but focus on the first part and the rest will become easy. The is one who once said: "Arabic grammar is difficult its steps are long, when the one who does not understand it becomes proficient in it he desires to express himself in Arabic only to sound like the 'Ajamee (non-arab)."

And this is not correct, we do not agree with this. Rather we say inshaa'Allaah (Allaah willing) Arabic grammar is easy and its steps are short its ascending is easy from the very beginning you will start to understand it.

(Taken from the Introduction of his explanation to al-Aajuroomiyyah pages 5-6)

I wore niqab (face veil) for the first time today!!!!

This is an entry from my old blog about the day I first wear niqab on 10/29/07

Asalamualikum Wa Rahmatulillahi Wa Barakathu

Ok so I wore niqab for the first time in my life today. And all black at that! Here is my view from the inside:

So my DH and I decided that we were going to eat out tonight so he picked me up after praying Maghrib prayers at the masjid. When he came in I was all dressed and I guess he didn't know I was really going to start wearing it today so he was surprised and cheesin' from ear to ear when he saw me. By the time we left for dinner it was dark so none of my neighbors saw me. We went to Denny's and the first thing I experienced was stares. The chef was staring, the customers in line were staring but for the most part it was the same stares I usually get when I wear jilbab and hijab without niqab. The waitress/greeter/cashier who was too busy to be concerned said that we would have to wait a while for dinner because she was the only one there so we ended up leaving that Denny's. I noticed myself talking a little louder than I usually do because I wanted to make sure that people would hear and understand me so that was cool because I tend to speak softly normally. As you might know it is not recommend for a woman to speak in a soft and alluring as it may perceived as a sign of flirtation. I also noticed that I would have to communicate through speech and body language a lot more as people would not be able to read my facial expressions. So I waved and said goodbye.

At the second Denny's we were seated immediately as it was not busy. The waitress and server were polite, no unusual staring expect for the people behind the counter or customers who were not aware that I saw them. The server actually asked me about the henna art that was decorating the back of my hand. She thought it was a real tattoo and wanted to know if it hurt so I explained to her what henna was. I thought that was interesting as she didn't ask about the niqab I suppose she wasn't as intrigued by it as much as she was intrigued by the henna lol.

Eating dinner was a challenge at first. I decided to cut my sandwich to make it more manageable to hold since i had to hold the niqab with my left hand while eating with my right hand. I figured out that holding it taut was the best way because layers underneath wouldn't drop down onto the food in my hand or get in the way. Eating the French fries wasn't difficult except for when got over confident and ended up stabbing myself in the chest with a ketchup covered French fry. From watching other niqabi I had learned that drinking is best done with a straw so thats what i did. When I wanted to take sips I just put the entire glass under the niqab and had my fill.

We left Denny's and went to Walmart to pick up a few things and there I noticed more of the same thing. STARING! but its cool though cause I'm a people watcher myself lol. When we pulled up it was sooo funny the person in front of us was leaving and they turned on their headlights but then suddenly turned it off and waited till they backed out before turning them on again. It didn't know what to make of that . Were they surprised or being polite maybe both. As we were walking in to Walmart there was big tall man at the door who saw us and said "Whoa! you Muslim" I nodded the DH said "yeah" and then the guy stepped back. That hadn't happened before usually people who ask then engage in conversation. Maybe he was a bouncer for "Club Walmart" (ok that was a bad joke whatever!)

So we walked around Walmart one man with his family and a friend were snickering and when we got close he asked DH about his outfit (he was wearing colorful African outfit) and where he got it from. He told him it was a gift at which point the man proceeded to tell him it was "beautiful, helps him to be seen at night" (that sounded a bit tart to me) but then he said something like "which i need with my job at night". I think he was a trucker as his friend picked up on that cue and began a conversation about truck driving at night and people cutting you off. Other than that the my first day (err night) out in niqab was not unusual compared to what I experience when wearing jilbab and hijab or when I use to just wear hijab. I did feel less shy and more confident than usual about my apperance. Maybe because I know that people aren't judging me by my look but by my attitude, the way I carry myself and my conversation. People still treat me very respectfully and politely which I must say was a surprising bonus I was given when I first started wearing hijab regularly last year, Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah). Will I continue? I dunno I still feel that same first time apprehension and jitters I felt when I first wore hijab. And all those silly fears have returned but Inshallah (Allah willing) I will be confident enough to stick with it for the right reasons.

P.S: I read this really good article that gave me the inspiration to finally do it. I'm still absorbing it all. Its here: http://muttaqun.com/niqab.html

4

Who Am I or Who Have I Become

In the name of God, the most Compassionate, the most Merciful.

In the past five year by the leave of Allah I have become a better Muslim than I was in the previous 5 years after taking my Shahada (Deceleration of Faith). Like many things in life it sometimes takes a wakeup call in the form of loss or tragedy for us to realize that we are really not living our lives the way our Creator expects us to.

It all began on February 16th, 2000. The day I bowed before the Lord of the Universe and admitted that He was the One and Only Allah, and that He had no partners and no sons no daughters, and that he had sent messengers to guide all of mankind and Muhammad(Peace be Upon him) was the last in a line of many.

However even thought I said and believed the words I wasn't really ready to practice it. I feared loss of family, friends, financial support, everything. So I hid myself away from my Muslim brothers and sisters and continued to try to live both lives. But Allah sees everything.

I was living the "good life", I had deluded myself into believing and justifying my sins! Not only that but when I came to Islam I swore that I would not practice it half way and that was exactly what I was doing. But Allah knows everything.

Finally after losing the material things I once cherished and realizing that I could not guide others to Islam and still live in sin I gave up. I moved out of the country for 6 months and tried to resubmit myself to Allah and to the goals I had once set for myself. But there were still more stumbling blocks ahead. And Allah is the best of planners.

My first major hurdle was trying to wear hijab and interviewing for jobs. I had family members telling me that my hijab would be the death blow to any interview and it seemed so at times but I pushed on. Sometimes I would wear it, sometimes I wouldn't. I returned to the US and continued this pattern. Eventually I was hired on to a "great job" that allowed me to wear hijab. But would I be allowed to make my salat (5 daily prayers)? And Allah hears everything

Well I soon discovered that there were yet more stumbling blocks. My "great job" interfered with my salat or at least I let it. Not only that, my "great job" also was working with the haram (forbidden) as it involved working with Riba (look it up). By this time Alhamdulillah (Praise Be to Allah), He gave me a companion who never ceased to encourage me and call me everyday while I was at work to make sure I had made my salats and who constantly educated me on my deen.

December 2006 I left my job, I now work side by side with my husband in his business and he helps me as I am working on starting my own retail business as well. Allah provided a means for our risq to come from the halal and not the haram and as best as we can we try to maintain it. Alhamdulillah, He has provided a way for me to be a good wife for my husband by practicing Islam every day, to work hard at studying Islam and implementing it in my life and I am thankful to Allah that I am a SAHM(stay-at-home-muslimah/mommy) for the time being. So I say Praise be to Allah for everything he as put me through and I am thankful for the blessings and the trials he has given me.