grows each day. My concern is this: the Qur'an mentions over and over the
blessings of Heaven. It repeatedly mentions beautiful, pure maidens as a bounty of
Heaven. People often say Islam is a male dominance religion.
Why is there not mention of rewards for women?
Praise be to Allah
Since you believe in Allah and His Book, you must know that (": and not one will thy Lord
treat with injustice"), Verse 49, Surat al-Kahf, or the Cave, and ("Allah is never unjust in the
least degree: if there is any good (done), He doubleth it, and gives from His Own Self a great
reward"), Verse 40, Surat an-Nisa, or the Women.
Allah has meant this Law of Islam (Shari'ah) for both men and women. All address to men in
the Quran is address to women, and all rules affecting men affect women as will unless
evidence is established that one of them is meant and not the other as in the rules relating to
Jihad (fighting for Islam), menstruation, custodianship, rule etc.
The evidence that women are included in Verses of the Quran in the male gender is a Hadith by
‘Ayishah who said that the Prophet
(May peace and blessings be upon him) was asked
about a man who sees traces of semen but does not remember having any dream of sexual
nature. The Prophet
(May peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Such man should
perform the Ghusul (ritual ablution). He was also asked of a man who remembers a dream of
sexual nature but sees no traces of semen. He said: "Such man does not have to perform the
Ghusul (ritual ablution). Umm Salim said "A woman may have the same experience. Does she
have to perform the Ghusul (ritual ablution)?" The Prophet
(May peace and blessings be
upon him) said: "Yes, there is no difference in this between man and woman." Narrated by
Abu Dawud, at-Tirmizi 113 and others. The last phrase is in Sahih al-Jami’ under No. 2333.
With respect to rewards in the Hereafter and what women have in heaven, we include a number
of Verses and Hadiths as follows:
Um Salamah said: "O Messenger of Allah. I did not hear a Verse in the Quran regarding the
Hijrah (migration with the Prophet
) of women." Then was revealed the Verse: ("And their
Lord has accepted of them, and answered them: Never will I suffer to be lost the work of any
of you, be he male or female: ye are members, one of another: those who have left their
homes, and were driven out therefrom, and suffered harm in My cause, and fought and were
slain – Verily I will blot out from them their inequities, and admit them into gardens with
rivers flowing beneath; ... A reward from Allah, and from Allah is the best of rewards."),
Verse 195, Surat al-‘Imran, or the Family. The Hadith was narrated by at-Tirmizi under No.
3023.
Ibn Kathir (May Allah have mercy on him) said the Verse ("fastajaba lahum rabbuhum")
means Allah replied to their queries ... and the Verse ("anni la udi’u ‘amala ‘amilin minkum
min thakarin aw untha") is an explanation of the reply meaning that good deeds will not be
lost or ignored. All men and women will have the just reward for their deeds. The Verse
("ba’dukum min ba’d") means you will be treated equally with respect to rewards.
(If any do deeds of righteousness, be they male or female, and have faith, they will enter
heaven, and not the least injustice will be done to them.), Verse 124, Surat an-Nisa, or the
Women.
In explanation of this Verse, Ibn Kathir (May Allah have mercy on him) said the Verse shows
Allah’s kindness, generosity and mercy in accepting the good deeds of all people, men and
women, provided that they believe, in allowing them into heaven and in not decreasing rewards
for their good deeds no even in the least.
(Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith, verily, to him will we give a
life that is good and pure, and we will bestow on such their reward according to the best of
actions.), Verse 97, Surat an-Nahl, or the Bees.
Ibn Kathir (May Allah have mercy on him) said this is a promise by Allah, the Exalted, to those
who do good deeds i.e. deeds acceptable to Allah in which a Muslim follows the rules set in the
Book of Allah, the Exalted, and the Sunnah of His Prophet
(May peace and blessings be
upon him), be they men or women, if they believe in Allah and His Messenger
(May peace
and blessings be upon him), that He will make them live a good life in this world and will be
rewarded in the Hereafter. A good life would include all types of comfort.
(He that makes evil will not be requited but by the like thereof; and he that makes a righteous
deed – whether man or woman – And is a believer – Such will enter the garden (of bliss):
therein will they have abundance without measure.), Verse 40, Surat al-Mumin, or the
believer.
Finally; dear sister, here is a Hadith that will dispel any doubt you may have with respect to the
mentioning of women:
Um ‘Umarah al-Ansariyyah said that she went to the Prophet
(May peace and blessings be
upon him) and said to Him: "I feel that everything is for men. Women are not mentioned as
having anything. Then was revealed the Verse: (For Muslim men and women, for believing
men and women etc), Verse 35, Surat al-Ahzab, or the Confederates. The Hadith is narrated by
at-Tirmizi under No. 3211, and is in Sahih at-Tirmizi under No. 2565.
In the collection of Hadiths of Imam Ahmad was narrated the Hadith that Um Salama (May
Allah be pleased with her) said: "I said "O Messenger (May peace and blessings be upon him)
of Allah. Why aren’t we mentioned in the Quran in an equal footing with men?" Then; I was
surprised to hear Him call one day from the pulpit: "O people." As I was combing my hair at
the moment, I wrapped it up and came close to the door and stood there listening to Him say:
"Allah, Mighty and Sublime be He, revealed that (For Muslim men and women; for believing
men and women; for devout men and women, for true men and women; for men and women
who are patient and constant; for men and women who humble themselves; for men and
women who give in charity; for men and women who fast; for men and women who guard
their chastity; and for men and women who engage much in Allah’s remembrance for them
has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward.) Verse 35, Surat al-Ahzab, or the
Confederates.
We ask Allah to give us all the ability to show sincerity in words and deeds and to continue as
will-established Muslims.
May Allah have blessing on Prophet Muhammad
.
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
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