Shar’i Rulings Pertaining to Islamic Sisters

How is it for a bride to put on false eyelashes?

Question 1: What do Islamic scholars and respected Muftis say about the following issue? If brides put on false eyelashes, then what is the ruling on it? (Questioner: Umm-e-Haydar ‘Attariyyah)

بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ

اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ  ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ

Answer: It is permissible for women to put on false eyelashes for the purpose of beauty on condition that the eyelashes must not be made from the hairs of a human or swine. However, it is necessary to remove these eyelashes at the time of Wudu and Ghusl because false eyelashes are usually stuck to the natural ones using glue or some other adhesive, etc. During Wudu and Ghusl, it is necessary to wash every hair of natural eyelashes but washing them is not possible unless the false ones are removed. Anyway, it is permissible to benefit from plastic-made hairs and from the hairs of any other animal except for the swine.

وَاللہُ  اَعْلَمُ   عَزَّوَجَلَّ   وَ رَسُوْلُہٗ اَعْلَم   صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ واٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم

How is it for a non-Mahram male to teach an adult female?

Question 2: What do Islamic scholars say about the following issue? A non-Mahram adult male teaches non-Mahram adult girls who do not observe Islamic veil. Their faces are uncovered and, sometimes, their body parts included in Satr area such as the forearms, the neck, the hairs, etc., are also uncovered. Girls, in this condition, sit in front of the male who teaches them. It is quite obvious that he cannot avoid looking at the faces and body parts of the Satr area of these girls while teaching. How is it to do that in the light of Shari’ah? (Questioner: Muhammad Saleem Attari (Jaranwala, Punjab))

بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ

اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ  ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ

Answer: In the situation mentioned above, it is strictly impermissible and a severe sin to teach non-Mahram adult girls in the above-mentioned method for the reason that this method results in the male seeing the body parts of the Satr area of the non-Mahram adult woman as well as leads the adult woman to uncover her body parts of the Satr area in front of the non-Mahram adult male without a Shari’ah-approved reason. For a male to see the body parts of the Satr area of non-Mahram adult woman and for an adult woman to uncover her body parts of the Satr area in front of a non-Mahram adult male are both strictly impermissible and severe sins.

وَاللہُ  اَعْلَمُ   عَزَّوَجَلَّ   وَ رَسُوْلُہٗ اَعْلَم   صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ واٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم

How is it to reply to Azan and to look at the Holy Quran during menses?

Question 3: What do Islamic scholars and respected Muftis say about the following issue? Are ladies allowed to reply to Azan in the state of menses or not? And, are they allowed to look towards the Holy Quran if it is open? (Muhammad Naseer from Wah Cantt)

بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ

اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ  ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ

Answer: It is permissible for ladies to reply to Azan and to look at the Holy Quran during the days of menses. However, it is not permissible to recite and to touch the Holy Quran.

وَاللہُ  اَعْلَمُ   عَزَّوَجَلَّ   وَ رَسُوْلُہٗ اَعْلَم   صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ واٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم

If we are to sum up the traits of righteousness, good conduct, goodness, kindness, bestowal, courtesy and politeness in one word, then we can refer them to as ‘favour’. The Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has countless favours upon his Ummah. Similarly, the blessed wives رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ عَنْهُنَّ of the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم also have favours upon the Ummah. And why shall it not be? As according to the command of the Holy Quran, they are the mothers of believers. Moreover, a mother never lets go of an opportunity to do a favour upon her children. Although every Umm-ul-Mu`mineen [mother of believers] has some kind of favour upon us in one way or the other and there are various forms of these favours but below are mentioned few favours of some of the Ummahat-ul-Mu`mineen رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ عَنْهُنَّ.

If we first of all talk of Umm-ul-Mu`mineen, Sayyidatuna Khadija-tul-Kubra رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا, she رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا sacrificed her wealth for the sake of the propagation of Deen in the early days of Islam. She رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا helped and encouraged the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم from her heart, tongue, soul and wealth, and rendered great support to him. He صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم acknowledged and talked about her support frequently and commended it. The whole Ummah will remain indebted to her for these favours forever.

Similarly, if we look at the blessed Seerah (biography) of Sayyidatuna ‘Aishah Siddiqah Tayyibah Tahirah رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا, then we come across her innumerable scholarly, religious, social, collective and reformative favours upon the Muslim Ummah. The biggest favour of her is to narrate a great compilation of 2210 Ahadees based upon Shar’i rulings for the guidance of Ummah and providing Shar’i guidance to numerous blessed companions and Tabi’een رَضِىَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُم. Therefore, Sayyiduna Abu Musa Ash’ari رَضِىَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُ narrates, ‘If we, companions, faced any problems, then we would ask it in the blessed court of Sayyidatuna ‘Aishah Siddiqah رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا and would obtain its solution only from her.’ (Sunan-ut-Tirmizi, vol. 5, pp. 471, Hadees 3909) And why wouldn’t it happen as the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم stated himself, ‘If the knowledge of the women of the entire Ummah, including that of the blessed wives (رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ عَنْهُنَّ), is gathered, still the knowledge of ‘Aishah would be more than the knowledge of them all.’ (Majma’-uz-Zawaid, vol. 9, pp. 389, Hadees 15318)

She رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا has special and great favours upon women too. She رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا would mostly present the pleas of women in the blessed court of the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. She رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا would also pay full attention to solving their personal problems. One of the most special favours of her upon Islamic sisters is that she رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا proved through her life, services, Seerah and character that a woman can also render great services to Islam while staying in the state of purdah (veil). Moreover, another favour of her is that great part of specific Shar’i rulings regarding women have been imparted to the Ummah through her. One special favour of her is that through her blessings, the whole Ummah was given the ruling of Tayammum; and in case of having no access to water, permission was granted to attain purity through pure soil. ‘سُبْحٰنَ اللّٰە’

Sayyidatuna Umm-e-Salamah رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا is also among the mothers [of believers]. She رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا is considered as an expert Faqiha [female jurist] Sahabiyyah in the rulings of Shari’ah. (Siyar A’laam-un-Nubala, vol. 2, pp. 203)

Imam-ul-Haramain, Imam Abul Ma’aali ‘Abdul Malik Bin ‘Abdullah Jaweeni [جوينی] stated, ‘The opinion of Sayyidatuna Umm-e-Salamah رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا always proved to be right.’ (Fath-ul-Baari, vol. 6, pp. 294, Taht-al-Hadees: 2733) The reason for this is that she رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا asked loads of questions in the court of the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and then people sought Shar’i guidance from her. Her perceptiveness, strategic approach and great advice specially played a vital role in reformation on the occasion of the prominent victory of Islam, known as “the treaty of Hudaybiyah”. At that time, the blessed companions رَضِىَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُم were grieved and distressed due to being stopped from performing ‘Umrah and no one was mentally prepared to perform the sacrifice [of the animal] and end their Ihram. Therefore, she رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا suggested in the court of the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم that ‘Ya Rasoolallah صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! Do not say anything to anyone. End your Ihram^[1] after performing the sacrifice [of the animal]’. Therefore, the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم did exactly the same. Seeing this, all the companions رَضِىَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُم also performed their sacrifices [of the animals] and ended their Ihram.

Umm-ul-Mu`mineen Sayyidatuna Zainab Bint Jahsh رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا held a special rank in the court of the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Allah Almighty married her to the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and the witness was Sayyiduna Jibra`eel عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام. She رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا had immense favours, especially upon the orphans and widows. She رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا taught women to give Sadaqah and charity in abundance and support those who are weak.

Umm-ul-Mu`mineen Sayyidatuna Hafsah رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا through her blessed character and practice persuaded and spread the teachings of truthfulness along with the individual acts of worship such as helping the poor and destitute, staying awake at night and performing worship, observing Siyam and reciting the Holy Quran. Moreover, she رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا has done favour upon the Ummah by imparting around 60 Ahadees of the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم to the Ummah. (Madarij-un-Nubuwwah, vol. 2, pp. 474)

Umm-ul-Mu`mineen Sayyidatuna Maymunah رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا, who narrated 76 Ahadees, was a woman possessing extreme fear of Allah Almighty and someone who treated her relatives extremely kindly. She رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا is the one who taught people to abide by the Shar’iah and the Muslim Ummah found solutions to various issues through her. In particular, the ruling of the permissibility of marrying in the state of Ihram was revealed by the virtue of her.

The first favour of Umm-ul-Mu`mineen Sayyidatuna Juwayriyah رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا was upon the people of her tribe. Due to her, around 700 people attained freedom from slavery. Sayyidatuna ‘Aishah Siddiqah رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا states, ‘We have not seen any other woman who has brought more goodness and blessings to her nation than Sayyidatuna Juwayriyah (رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا).’ (Abu Dawood, vol. 4, pp. 30, Hadees 3931)

Prominent companions like Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Bin ‘Abbas, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Bin ‘Umar and Sayyiduna Jabir Bin ‘Abdullah رَضِىَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُم have narrated Ahadees from her which contain a lot of guidance for the Ummah.

May Allah Almighty enable all the Islamic brothers, especially Islamic sisters, to read the Seerah of the blessed wives رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ عَنْهُنَّ of the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, listen to it and act upon it. May Allah Almighty reward them immensely for their favours. May Allah Almighty shower His mercy upon all the Ummahat-ul-Mu`mineen رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ عَنْهُنَّ and may we be forgiven for their sake.

اٰمِيۡن   بِجَاهِ   النَّبِيِّ  الۡاَمِيۡن   صَلَّى  اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى  عَلَيۡهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم

The ‘blessed habits’ and the ‘blessed behaviour’ of Khatoon-e-Jannat, ‘Sayyidah Fatimah Zahra رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا were very similar to that of the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.

Umm-ul-Mu`mineen Sayyidah ‘Aishah Siddiqah رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا said, ‘I have not seen anyone more similar to the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم in habits, conduct, Seerah [blessed life], character, style of sitting and standing than Fatimah (رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا) Bint-e-Rasool.’ (Sunan-ut-Tirmizi, vol. 5, pp. 466, Hadees 3898; summarised)

Similarly, when she رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا would come in the court of her blessed father ‘Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم’, the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would greet her in a very special way and when the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would visit his blessed daughter ‘Sayyidah Fatimah رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا ’, she would also welcome the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم in the similar way. She رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا would stand up in reverence and would kiss the blessed hands of the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and would seat him in her place. (Sunan-ut-Tirmizi, vol. 5, pp. 466, Hadees 3898; summarised)

Rasoolullah ki jeeti jaagti tasweer ko daykha!

Kiya nazarah jin ankhaun nay tafseer-e-Nubuwwat ka

Batool-o-Fatimah Zahra laqab is wasitay paaya

Kay dunya mayn rahayn aur dayn patah Jannat ki nighat ka

(Deewan-e-Salik, pp. 33)

Khatoon-e-Jannat, Sayyidah Fatimah Zahra رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا passed away on 3^rd Ramadan 11 AH after 5 or 6 months of the blessed (apparent) demise of the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. (Tabqat-ul-Kubra, vol. 8, pp. 23)

Funeral Salah of Khatoon-e-Jannat, Sayyidah Fatima Zahra رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا was led by Sayyiduna Siddeeq-e-Akbar رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ. (Mirat-ul-Manajih, vol. 8, pp. 456; Tabqat-ul-Kubra, vol. 8, pp. 24; Tareekh Dimashq, vol. 7, pp. 458; Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah, vol. 1, pp. 157; Hilya-tul-Awliya, vol. 4, pp. 100; Musnad Al-Haris, vol. 1, pp. 371, Hadees 272)

In order to get information about the different aspects of the blessed life-history of Khatoon-e-Jannat, ‘Sayyidah Fatimah رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا’, read ‘Shan-e-Khatoon-e-Jannat’, a book published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah.