From the very beginning, women have played vital roles in the
propagation of the fundamental truths of Islamic da'wah. From the
sacrifices of Sumayyah (RA), to the collected Ahadeeth of Aisha (RA),
women have been instrumental in the flourishing and spreading of this
deen. Unfortunately during these times, the Islamic revival suffers
from weaknesses in its properly qualified personnel, which limits its
spreading and restricts the da'wah work to an elitist group of
activists, with finite and limited efforts of da'wah and tarbiyah being
focused on women.
Da'wah amongst women deserves, and
should get, far more attention than it does. So far, except in a few
instances, women have been distanced from the field of da'wah work. If
we look at the reality, and the situation of Islamic da'wah work, and
the position of women in it today, we can easily find the following
problems:
1- Deficiency in da'wah capabilities among and by women.
2- The ill use of existing limited-resources in combination with a lack of personal initiative on the part of women.
3- A neglect or omission of women's issues in the planning of Islamic da'wah.
4-
Absence of strong tarbiyah and the lack of fundamental Islamic
knowledge in the da'iyat (female callers) in the field of da'wah. Only a
few of the wives and daughters of dou'at (male callers) have any
worthwhile Islamic knowledge.
5- Most women do not
possess a proper understanding the role of da'wah made incumbent on
their husbands. Because of this, they may not understand the importance
of time given to projects outside the home, which in turn may, become a
source of tension within the home.
6- The level of general Islamic knowledge among most women is low.
7- Women's da'wah programs, as well as overall da'wah programs and institutions are rare, and not well organized.
ROOTS of the PROBLEM
Many
obstacles and restraints have been the causes behind the weakness and
neglect of da'wah work amongst women. One they have been recognized and
analyzed, viable solutions can be sought and implemented.
One
major reason, is that many men are not convinced about the importance
of women's role and responsibilities in the field of da'wah. The
Qur'anic verse "...remain at your homes..." [33:33] has been
misinterpreted by many, and so has the right of stewardship or Qawama.
In many instances we see men objecting to women's participation in
da'wah and thus preventing them from fulfilling their role toward their
fellow Muslims and to the larger society in general. Spreading Islam
has been made incumbent on all Muslims, men and women.
"It
is vital that husbands encourage their wives to participate in da'wah
work," said Dr. Aisha Hamdan, Director of the Islamic Education
Foundation, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has a Ph. D. in
Clinical Psychology with a specialty in child and family issues. She
teaches at a private university in the Twin Cities. The IEF is a
two-year-old organization, with one of its goals being, to increase the
level of awareness and to provide training in giving da'wah, amongst
Muslim women and men. "They should encourage them to spread the message
of this deen, perhaps by taking them along when they go out, and by
instructing them on the proper ways of giving presentations about
Islam."
A more particular reason is the absence
or confusion of priorities in the minds of dou'at. Many of them have
been overwhelmed and distracted by the state of the Ummah, even to the
extent of ignoring to give proper attention to their homes and
families. Their energies having been exhausted in the work outside the
home, leaving them with nothing left for their families. This imbalance
hurts not only the families, but also the community as a whole.
The
level of women's education and awareness of their position and
responsibility plays an important role. As education and awareness
decline, women become disinterested, their level of giving and sense of
sacrifice weakens. "Unfortunately, not a lot of Muslim women feel that
they know enough about Islam to share it with others. They need to
realize that it is their responsibility to obtain that knowledge and
then share it with others. Many women also feel uncomfortable presenting
to groups of people due to various reasons." Dr. Hamdan said. "This is
why we are conducting training sessions here, about how to conduct
da'wah. We are committed to trying to arm women with the necessary
skills, that will give them the confidence to take up this very
important, and often neglected role in their lives as Muslims."
Indulgence
in luxuries, even if they are halal things, usually force women to
devote more time to them and less time to doing da'wah. This also
happens when they find it difficult to balance rights with duties.
Sometimes women lose perspective, forgetting that the work inside the
home is the core of their mission. By neglecting this role, or when they
fail to arrange their priorities, and get tied to a job that distracts
them, they ultimately fail at fulfilling their da'wah roles both
inside and outside the home. "For many women, their jobs as wife,
mother, cook, and teacher, inside their homes, are so time consuming,
that the main barrier to engaging in da'wah work is oftentimes, a lack
of time itself," said Dr. Hamdan. "This is why it is so important for
husbands to be supportive to their wives in fulfilling their
obligations both within and outside the home."
Another
unfortunate reality is that most da'wah organizations have failed to
absorb and utilize the energies of women, and have also failed to adjust
their plans and programs in a way that would incorporate women as core
assets in their da'wah work.
The media, and
many other elements of the promiscuous society we live in, have had
major impacts on the psyche of Muslim women. This psychic crippling has
kept many women away from their mission and distorted the image of
Islam in the minds of most of them.
A Desired ROLE for the MUSLIM WOMEN
A Crucial Role:
According
to recent data, there are more women accepting Islam in this country,
than any other group. The same can be said of Canada, England and many
other places. A recent survey Al Jumuah magazine have conducted in the
Dominican Republic, showed that about 75% of those who accepted Islam
among the natives were women. Because of this, there is a tremendous
need for Muslim women to participate in the field of da'wah. " The role
of calling to this deen, does not stop at the pronunciation of the
Shahada," Dr. Hamdan said. "Women are needed to help other women come to
Islam, and are needed to instruct them after they become Muslims." The
reasons women's participation is important are various and diverse:
1.
Women are more capable than men are in communicating with other women.
Women are usually more affected by word, deed, and conduct of other
women, more so than by men. Women are more capable of recognizing the
particularities and problems associated with women's education and
tarbiyah.
2. Women can better comprehend the
direction in which women's da'wah work should be geared. They can best
discern the order of priorities, because they are more familiar with
this sphere.
3. Women are more free than men in
communicating with other women, either individually for da'wah
activities, or in women's learning and other forums and places of
meeting.
4. Many Muslim women who are in need of
guidance, education, and direction lack the presence of men-folk who
can provide this service, therefore it makes sense that qualified women
in the community should offer this.
5. The
educational and the tarbiyah need of women are greater than that of
men. They get pregnant, give birth, and nurse children. The children
are more tied to them than they are to their fathers. Women stay at home
with their sons and daughters, and thus can bring them up as they
please. If they are not allowed to share in the da'wah efforts of their
husbands, a lot of the much-needed results may not be attained.
6.
Women have a great effect on their husbands. If they have strong emaan
and character, they have a very good chance at helping their husbands
become strong as well.
7. Women have a lot of
characteristics that stress the importance of their da'wah role. They
should also be taken into account whenever any da'wah work is planned.
Some are:
* Women have the innate ability to communicate
strongly what they believe to be true in their hearts. Dr. Hamdan also
points out that, "Women are also generally stronger in terms of verbal
abilities and emotionality."
* Women sometimes
lack will power and a sense of direction, and therefore need the
assistance of other women to give strength and motivation.
A Definite Role
The
work of the Muslim woman in the field of da'wah strengthens the man's
work, and it expand it into areas where her effectiveness supersedes
that of the man. It is sad that this role is so grossly overlooked and
underestimated. By her nature as a spiritual and psychological comforter
of man, the woman can play an important role in da'wah, for a man
cannot -if his mind is preoccupied with works and goals- cope with his
own problems, let alone undertake the burdens of giving da'wah. Many
have failed on the path of da'wah for this very reason. Khadija's
comfort, help, and support of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhe wa sallam,
offer the greatest proof of the vital importance of this role. The
Prophet's companions who left their homes to go places that were
thousands of miles away to take the new religion to people also had the
support and the backing of their wives.
Very few
women today understand or are aware of such a role, let alone carry it
out. A woman may think that the marriage home is a place of rest and
easy. They have yet to realize that marriage is the starting point of
struggle, sacrifice, giving and responsibility.
The
woman's role does not end at door. She can be greatly effective by
being a good example to others, by being good-hearted, kindly spoken,
and of friendly conduct. She can offer assistance, and share concerns as
well as joys. She can also use all appropriate opportunities to
educate, guide and call others though observing the conditions of those
whom she addresses.
Examples Are Needed
Women,
who understood their role, started educating themselves and achieving
their rights to education and tarbiyah. Look at the hadeeth narrated by
Abu Saeed that the women said to the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhe wa
sallam, "The men are keeping you busy and we do not get enough attention
from you. Would you specify a day for us, women? He promised them a
day to meet them and educate and admonish them." (Bukhari) The fruits
of this understanding and concern by the women companions of the
Prophet, sallallaahu alayhe wa sallam, and the attention he gave them,
are shining examples and a source of pride for Muslim women. Here are a
few more to ponder:
Here is Umm Sulaim teaching
her son Anas Ibn Malik about Islam, even though her husband rejected
Islam. When Abu Talha proposed to her (before accepting Islam) she told
him that her dowry was Islam, he in-turn embraced Islam and she
married him. She made her son Anas the servant of the Prophet,
sallallaahu alayhe wa sallam. Umm Hakeem was the reason behind her
husband embracing Islam, and the aunt of Adi ibn Hatem led him to
Islam. Amra, the wife of Habib Al-Ajami would wake up her husband to
make salah at night. Asmaa, the daughter of Abu Bakr, forbade her son,
Abdullah ibn Az-Zubair, to accept a demeaning way out to escape death
although she was very old and needed him beside her.
If
we move to a wider circle, we will find that Muslim women played a
great role in sacrifice and service for the religion of Allah. Sumayyah
gave up her life when Abu Jahl killed her for becoming a Muslim. She
was the first Muslim, and woman, killed in Islam. Khadijah, the first
wife of the Prophet, who was very rich, spent of her money to support
the da'wah. Umm Salamah left her husband and saw her children
persecuted when she migrated. Umm Imarah fought in defense of the
Prophet, sallallaahu alayhe wa sallam, in the Uhud battle. Tending the
wounded in battles was the role Muslim Women played throughout history.
Building SUCCESSFUL Da'wah Programs
There
are conditions that must be met for women's da'wah work to succeed and
achieve its expected outcome. Many of the items in the following
discussion are good to consider at all time, but it is always important
to be in touch with the specific environment one is working with, study
it and design all programs to fit the specific reality and needs.
First: Important Guidelines
The
fact that we stress the importance of women's role in Islamic da'wah
should not lead us away from keeping the women's creation, nature and
priorities clear in mind. There are important points that should be used
as guidelines when planning or doing da'wah work:
1-
Typically, the woman's main role and job is at home. This is clearly
stated in Qur'an and Hadeeth. Allah says, "And stay in your houses."
[33:33] Of course women can go out for salah in the masjid, participate
in any other activities she may need and to do da'wah. However, none of
these activities should conflict with her essential duties at home as
wife and mother. In many cases, it is this balance between the woman's
essential duties and the requirements of da'wah work, that have caused
problems and misunderstandings in families and communities. "Women may
find ways to fulfill their da'wah obligations at home, such as engaging
in office work for an Islamic organization, answering telephones, or
any other number of possibilities, depending on the skills and interest
of each woman, " she said.
2- There are special
injunctions regarding women, and the mixing of men and women, that
must be observed in any da'wah activity and under any circumstances:
a) Proper hijab between men and women must be observed at all times.
b) Women cannot travel without a male companion who is her mahram.
c) Women cannot intermix freely with men who are not directly related to her.
d)
Women cannot exit from their homes except by permission of those who
are in charge of them and care for them, i.e. their husbands or fathers.
3-
The enemies of Islam usually exploit these injunctions and use them to
defame Islam as demeaning to women. Some dou'at get affected by these
allegations and they are thereby led to be lax and unmindful. The true
dou'at guided by the Sunnah must watch out, lest they be affected by
the lusts and whims of society.
4- Men have the
original right in da'wah activities to take the lead as was the case in
the age at the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhe wa sallam, and the
excellent generations that followed. Women's role in da'wah work is
undeniable, provided the appropriate guidelines are adhered to.
Second: Objectives of the Program:
As
the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhe wa sallam, saw a need to set aside a
specific time to address the needs of women in his community, so
organizations should try to tailor their da'wah work to the women and
issues of the communities. Any da'wah program directed towards women
should strive to, at least, serve the following ends:
Strengthening
the Emaan: This comes about by increasing worship, remembrance of
Allah (thikr), and reflection on Allah's names, and His power and
creation in ourselves and in the universe. There is great power in
reflection. And its positive impact on one's heart and emaan is almost
limitless. This however, would not be possible without the inculcation
of the right understanding of certain issues related to our aqeedah;
the emphasis has to be on Tawheed.
Increasing
knowledge: Without it one cannot achieve much. Special emphasis has to
be put on the basics of Islam and on subjects that the da'iyah needs in
her environments. Knowledge should be spread about deviant thoughts,
ideas, groups and sects. Awareness must be raised concerning those who
do not like to see the spreading of Islam and who are gaining grounds in
the hearts and minds of people.
Building of the
da'wah personality: Da'wah requires sacrifices and therefore women
must be prepared to bear the burdens of calling to Islam. This comes
through awakening them to the conditions of the Muslims and the
endeavors of the enemies of Islam. Leadership, responsibility and
individual initiative should be taught. Theoretical and practical
educational faculties must be nurtured. The da'iyah must be taught the
necessary social skills and the importance of da'wah through good
example and conduct. They also must be taught the value of time, its
management and how to use halal fun activity during their times of
leisure.
Building up immunity to sin: This
includes recognizing the ills of sins, particularly those relating to
women, and blocking the way to them by shunning the means leading to
them and the places where they exist.
Third: Training
A- On the theoretical side of this step, preparation may need to consider these aspects:
1-
Educational preparation through providing a good presentation of
appropriates materials. Islam gave women the rights to education. The
knowledge meant to be attained, is that which is helpful to women in
da'wah, like the shari'ah branches and the disciplines leading to
understanding them. But seeking knowledge should not be a barrier to
giving da'wah, as is the case with many today. Balance must be
maintained.
2- Psychological preparation by
ensuring that the women callers have faith in Allah sincerity,
hopefulness, coverage in truth, pride in Islam, patience, and knowledge
of the conditions and environments of those they are addressing. This
is a very important aspect of preparedness, because the preacher is
tied to the people, who have different characters and inclinations.
3-
Social preparation by having the women da'iyat live an Islamic life in
the family and society in a practical application of Islam. They
should abide by the ethics of Islam and of the da'wah. Capping the
elements of social preparation is the feeling that the da'wah is a
right to all people that must reach them with sincerity, generality,
honesty, gentleness and meekness.
B- Adequate practical training and preparation is must:
This
involves training female callers in speaking and writing to be able to
bring Allah's religion to the people through speeches, lessons,
lectures, and writing. These are the methods of addressing people with
the da'wah and they complete the theoretical preparation and ensure that
it bears fruit. This aspect has largely been neglected resulting in
severe shortcomings in the da'wah.
Da'iyat
delivering lectures, seminars, sermons, etc. should be able to persuade
the listeners by addressing their minds through proofs and evidence.
They should also be able to arouse their passions, emotions, and
feelings. Those making speeches and addresses must be well versed in the
art and its importance, and should also practice delivering speeches
to women in mosques, schools, or other places where women gather. They
should also watch over and guide women trainees, and gently correct
their mistakes.
Writing and publishing must not
be neglected in an age when people are easily reached by and engrossed
in all sorts of books, booklets, newspapers, and articles. Writings
should both be eloquent and convincing, through sincere, sound and
documented arguments. Writing is the form of da'wah which is in many
ways one of the most appropriate and important means for women. They
can write at home and thus make use of their spare time. They can in
this way reach all classes of society.
AREAS of Da'wah for WOMEN
The
educational field: These are related to the ennoblement of the spirit
and the purification of the soul through faith. The minds and souls can
thus be touched. These fields are to be found in mosques, schools,
associations, da'wah groups, and others.
The
social field: These relate to bodily and psychological health as well
as to social development and interaction between people that reflect
positively on the realization of spiritual education and the formation
of Muslim character.
Both sides, spiritual and
physical, are tied together and they should both be fulfilled in
balance. To give the upper hand to the soul would be asceticism, and to
the body would be hedonism. Fulfilling the physical needs has often
been cause for many people embracing the guidance of Islam. Preachers
of Christianity today, concentrate on this approach. It is difficult
for the hungry, the naked, or the sick and homeless to listen to
sermons.
More specific example of what women can take part in as da'wah are:
1.
The Home: This is surely the most fertile and most effective channel.
Allah has ordained both husbands and wives as nurtures for each other
and the family. The mother shares with the father the responsibilities
of educating and nurturing in all physical, moral, psychological,
social, and external aspects each other and their children. Members of
the family are gathered together in the home for many hours and this
creates harmony among them as well as affords an opportunity for
presenting good examples and guidance.
2. The Muslim Community: Charity, advice, and direction can be offered to relatives, neighbors, and the needy.
3.
The Islamic School: Educational activities and curriculums can be used
for the guidance of girl students as well as women teachers and staff.
4.
The Masjid: Women should be allowed to go to the masajid to benefit
from the lessons held there. The masjid is a suitable place for some of
the women activities like Qur'an study groups and other training.
5.
Hospitals, Prisons, and Social Welfare Institutions, Women's Colleges
or Universities. "Women-only conferences can also be incorporated into
an already scheduled major conferences, thus providing them with
someone to travel with," Dr. Hamdan says.
"Also,
da'wah work can be done on an individual level; such as with friends,
families, peers, particularly those who are not Muslims, "said Dr.
Hamdan. "Many women who have converted to Islam have families who are
non-Muslim and this is a prime, although challenging, opportunity to do
da'wah work."
What the Qur'an and Sunnah Said:
Muslim Women, Callers and Called
Certainly,
the injunctions of Islam, from the Qur'an and the Sunnah, cover and
apply to both males and females. Male pronouns were usually used mostly,
only because that is the custom of the language. Nevertheless, there
are certain injunctions that are exclusively meant for men. And at the
same time, Allah has enjoined things upon women only. This shows that
they have a character and a personality independent of men. This
stresses the need to address women with the da'wah, education, reform,
and guidance, in a way that is specific to them. They should not be
ignored. It was on account of this that the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhe
wa sallam, addressed women specifically, especially after addressing
men, and that he fixed a special day of the week on which he taught them
alone.
Qur'an tells us that man is responsible
for his home and family, "O you who believe! Ward off from yourselves
and your families a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over
which are angel stern and severe," [66:6]. And the Prophet, sallallaahu
alayhe wa sallam, also said, "The man is a shepherd of his family and
he is responsible for his guardianship." (Bukhari and Muslim) In
another hadeeth, the Prophet's, sallallaahu alayhe wa sallam, told of a
double reward for the man who teaches well, cultivates and then frees
any female-slave he has. (Bukhari) This surely stresses the need for
the education of and care for women. On the other hand, there are many
evidences from the Qur'an and the Sunnah that testify to the fact that
women are also obligated to do da'wah work:
1-
There many verses in the Qur'an that obligate Muslim men and women to
do da'wah, and enjoin good and forbid evil. For example, Allah says,
"Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is
good (Islam),
enjoining good and forbidding evil. And it is they who are the successful." [3:104]
2-
Women have been expressly addressed with the duty of the da'wah
because Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, says, "O wives of the Prophet! You
are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allah) then be
not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease should be moved
with desire, but say that which is Ma'roof (good)." [33:32] Ibn Abbas
understood Allah's injunction to the Prophet's wives, to "say good," to
mean that they have to enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil.
This can be taken as a general address to all Muslim women. Allah also
says, "The believers, men and women are Auliya (helpers, protectors) of
one another, they enjoin the good and forbid the evil, they perform
salah and give away zakah and obey Allah." [9:71] It is clear in this
verse that women are addressed with this task, just as men, whenever
they are capable of discharging it. The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhe wa
sallam, said, "The woman is a steward of her husband's home and
children and she is responsible for them." A steward here is a person
entrusted with what has been put in his charge, cherishing and
preserving it.
Furthermore, the following points,
when properly put into perspective, also lead to the understanding
that women are as responsible for carrying out da'wah as men are:
a)
Because Islam prohibits the free intermingling of men and women, and
the maintenance of hijab, it becomes vital, as well as practical, to
have qualified women to do da'wah work among women in the community.
b) Some of the shari'ah rulings were reported from the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, only through women companions.
c)
Sometimes, it is difficult for the male-dou'at to carry out all that
the da'wah among women requires because women have some private
conditions that they may not feel comfortable revealing to men, and
would rather convey them only to other women.
What We Sow We Reap
1.
Banishing ignorance, increasing intellectual broad-mindedness, and the
creation of qualified women da'wah cadres. These results have a
lasting and beneficial influence, not only on women and the Muslim
community, but also on the whole society at large.
2. Rectifying conduct and restitution of many erroneous practices that have come to be social phenomenon in many societies.
3.
Da'iyat will develop maturity and show more disciplined characters.
This in turn will result in stronger relationships between men and
women.
4. Women's place and status in Islam would
be highlighted and Muslim women would attain a better awareness of
their rights and duties.
5. Efforts would be
geared toward the cultivating of our young people, in order to ensure
the Ummah, virtuous Muslims in the generations to come.
6.
A sense of belonging to Islam would be fostered, and the key Muslim
rite of enjoining good and forbidding the evil would be upheld.
7. An important financial tributary for da'wah work would be secured; i.e., women's charitable spending.
It
is time that Muslims who profess to follow the Sunnah rethink the
issue of dawah among women and by women. We should remember Khadijah,
Aisha, Sumayyah, and many other Muslim women throughout our history,
and what they did for Islam and learn from it. We also have to realize
that mere talk and emotionalism are useless. We need to do something
about our immediate situation now. Education, preparation, and
qualification of women will be the key to our future success.
Throughout history, the yardstick used to measure the well being of any
society has been the condition of its women. Let us therefore, strive
to improve the intellectual, spiritual and emotional condition of the
Muslim woman by allowing her to fulfill all the God-given abilities and
responsibilities made incumbent on her.
By Abdul Lateef M. al-Hassan & Sumayyah bint Joan - al-Jumu'ah Magazine
Looking for more dawah related articles then visit
www.justdawah.org - your dawah resource hub.
