❞ كتاب The Wisdom behind Laws Regarding Women ❝ ⏤ عبدالرحمن عبدالخالق

All praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of all Being, the All-merciful, the All-compassionate, the Master
of the Day of Judgment.1 May Allah’s mercy and peace be upon all of His Messengers and truthful
and pure Prophets; and may His mercy and peace be upon the master of the children of Adam and the
seal of the Prophets, our Prophet Muhammad, the trustworthy Messenger; and may His mercy and
peace be upon Muhammad’s family, companions and whoever follows his guidance till the Day of
Judgment.
To Proceed:

For Whom Am I Writing this Essay?
My brothers and sisters everywhere! With this essay, I am not singling out the adherents of
Islam—to which I ascribe—but rather I am writing this essay to every man and woman
throughout the whole world.
I ask Allah that He facilitates that this essay reaches every ear, falls under the sight of every
eye, and is understood by every heart.
By Allah, I have written this essay sincerely. I do not seek from anyone reward or praise. I
only seek to convey to all my brethren in humanity, irrespective of their races or religions,
an aspect of the great message that Muhammad the son of ‘Abdullah, Allah’s final
messenger to all the peoples of the earth, was sent with.
Specifically, I have chosen to explain the wisdom behind those laws that Allah has legislated
regarding women. As contingent upon these laws, an individual’s bliss on earth is gained
and his humanity is achieved. Moreover, these Islamic regulations pertaining to women
1
The Koran 1:1-3.

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have been singled out for attack by the enemies of humanity, who seek to follow their
desires and who are short-sighted. Rather, they have put an end to a person’s bliss on earth
and exchanged that with misery and a wretched life. They have attacked these Divine
regulations, so that they may turn humanity away from Allah’s true religion, His straight
path, and bliss in this world and the next—toward which the final Messenger of all Divine
messages came to give glad tidings and to invite all humanity to receive.

Muhammad the son of ‘Abdullah is Allah’s Prophet and the Final Messenger Sent by Allah to the
Inhabitants of Earth

My brothers and sisters everywhere! You should know that the Messenger, Muhammad the son
of ‘Abdullah (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) is Allah’s Messenger in reality
and truth. The evidences that show his veracity are abundant. None but an infidel, who out
of arrogance alone, could deny these signs.

Among these proofs:
1. Muhammad (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) was raised illiterate, unable to
read or write, and remained like that till his death. Among all his people, he was known as
being truthful and trustworthy. Before receiving revelation, he had no prior knowledge of
Religion or any previously sent Message. He remained like that for his first forty years.
Revelation then came to Muhammad with the Koran that we now have between our hands.
This Koran mentioned most of the accounts found in the previous scriptures, telling us
about these events in the greatest detail as if he witnessed them. These accounts came
precisely as they were found in the Torah sent down to Moses and in the Gospel sent down
to Jesus. Neither the Jews or Christians were able to belie him regarding anything that he
said.
2. Muhammad (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) also foretold of everything that
would occur to him and his community after him, pertaining to victory, the removal of the
tyrannical kingdoms of Chosroes2 and Caesar, and the establishment of the religion of Islam
throughout the earth. These events occurred exactly as Muhammad foretold, as if he was
reading the future from an open book.
3. Muhammad (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) also brought an Arabic Koran
that is the peak of eloquence and clarity. The Koran challenged those eloquent and fluent
Arabs of his time, who initially belied him, to bring forth a single chapter like the Koran. The
eloquent Arabs of his day were unable to contest this Koran.
Indeed, till our day, none has ever dared to claim that he has been able to compose words
that equal—or even approach—the order, grace, beauty, and splendor of this Glorious
Koran.

2
The royal title for the Zorastrian kings of Persia.

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4. The life history of this Noble Prophet was a perfect example of being upright, merciful,
compassionate, truthful, brave, generous, distant from all evil character, and ascetic in all
worldly matters, while striving solely for the reward of the Hereafter. Moreover, in all his
actions and dealings, he was ever mindful and fearful of Allah.
5. Allah instilled great love for Muhammad (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) in
the hearts of all who believed in and met him. This love reached such a degree that any of
his companions would willingly sacrifice his (or her) self, mother or father for him.
Till today, those who believe in Muhammad honor and love him. Anyone of those who
believe in him would ransom his own family and wealth to see him, even if but once.
6. All of history has not preserved the biography of any person in the manner it has preserved
the life of Muhammad, who is the most influential human in history.
Nor has the entire earth known of anyone whom every morning and evening, and many
times thereafter throughout the day, is thought of by those who believe in him. Upon
remembering Muhammad, the believers in him will greet him and ask Allah to bless him.
They do such with full hearts and true love for him.
7. Nor has there every been a man on earth whom is still followed in all his doings by those
who believe in him.
Those who believe in Muhammad, sleep in the manner he slept; purify themselves (through
ablution and ritual washing) in the manner he purified himself; and adhere to his practice in
the way they eat, drink, and clothe themselves.
Indeed in all aspects of their lives, the believers in Muhammad adhere to the teachings he
spread among them and the path that he traveled upon during his life.
During every generation, from his day till our time, the believers in this Noble Prophet have
fully adhered to his teachings. With some, this has reached the degree that they desire to
follow and adhere to the Prophet’s way in his personal matters regarding which Allah has
not sought of them to adhere to in worship. For example, some will only eat those specific
foods or only wear those specific garments that the Messenger liked.
Let alone all that, all those who believe in Muhammad repeat those praises of Allah, special
prayers, and invocations that he would say during each of his actions during day and night,
like: what he would say when he greeted people, upon entering and leaving the house,
entering and leaving the mosque, entering and leaving the bathroom, going to sleep and
awaking from sleep, observing the new crescent, observing the new fruit on trees, eating,
drinking, dressing, riding, traveling and returning from travel, etc.
Let alone all that, all those who believe in Muhammad fully perform—even to the minute
detail—every act of worship—like prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage—as this Noble
Messenger (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) taught and as he himself
performed.
All of this allows those who believe in him, to live their lives in all aspects with this Noble
Messenger as their example, as if he was standing before them, for them to follow in all their
doings.
8. There has never been nor will there ever be a man anywhere upon this earth who has
received such love, respect, honor, and obedience in all matters—small and large alike—as
has this Noble Prophet.

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9. Since his day, in every region of the earth and during every period, this Noble Prophet has
been followed by individuals from all races, colors and peoples. Many of those who
followed him were previously Christians, Jews, pagans, idolaters, or without any religion.
Among those who chose to follow him, were those who were known for their sound
judgment, wisdom, reflection, and foresight. They choose to follow this Noble Prophet after
they witnessed the signs of his truthfulness and the evidences of his miracles. They did not
choose to follow Muhammad out of compulsion or coercion or because they had adopted
the ways of their fathers and mothers.
Indeed many of the followers of this Prophet (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon
him), chose to follow him during the time when Islam was weak, when there were few
Muslims, and when there was severe persecution of his followers on earth. Most people
who have followed this Prophet (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) have done
so not to acquire some material benefits. Indeed many of his followers have suffered the
greatest forms of harm and persecution as a result of following this Prophet. Despite all this
harm and persecution, this did not turn them back from his religion.
My brethren! All of this clearly indicates to anyone possessing any sense, that this Prophet was truly
and really Allah’s messenger and that he was not just a man who claimed prophethood or spoke about
Allah without knowledge.
10. With all this, Muhammad came with a great religion in its credal and legal make-up.
Muhammad described Allah with qualities of complete perfection, and at the same time in a
manner that is free of ascribing to Him any imperfection.. Neither the philosophers or the
wise could ever describe Allah like such. Indeed it is impossible to imagine that any human
mind could conceive of an existing being that possesses such complete ability, knowledge,
and greatness; Who has subdued the creation; Who has encompassed everything in the
universe, small or large; and Who possesses such perfect mercy.
Nor is it in the ability of any human being to place a perfect law based upon justice,
equality, mercy and objectivity for all human activity on earth like the laws that Muhammad
brought for all spheres of human activity—like, buying and selling, marriage and divorce,
renting, testimony, custody, and all other contracts that are necessary to uphold life and
civilization on earth.
11. It is impossible that any person conceive wisdom, morals, good manners, nobleness of
character as what this honorable Prophet (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him)
brought.
In a full and complete manner, Muhammmad spread a teaching regarding character and
manners toward one’s parents, relatives, friends, family, humanity, animals, plants and
inanimate objects. It is impossible for the human mind alone to grasp all of that teaching or
come with a similar teaching.
All of that unequivocally indicates that this Messenger did not bring any of this religion
from his own accord, but that it was rather a teaching and inspiration that he received from
the One Who created the earth and the high heavens above and created this universe in its
miraculous architecture and perfection.

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12. The legal and credal make-up of the religion that the Messenger, Muhammad, (may Allah’s
blessings and peace be upon him) brought resembles the engineering of the heavens and the
earth. All of that indicates that He who created the heavens and the earth is the One Who
sent down this great law and upright religion.
The degree of inimitability of the Divine law that was sent down upon Muhammad is to the
same degree of inimitability of the Divine creation of the heavens and earth. For just as
humanity cannot create this universe, in the same manner humanity cannot bring forth a
law like Allah’s law that He sent down upon His servant and messenger Muhammad (may
Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him).

A Single Verse from the Koran Suffices for the Bliss of All Humanity Were They to Adhere It
O my brothers and sisters everywhere! Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:
O humanity! Be careful of your duty to your Lord, Who created you from a single soul,
and from it created its mate, and from the pair of them has spread abroad many men and
women; and be careful of your duty toward Allah in Whom you demand (your rights) of
one another and [be careful of your duty] toward the wombs (that bare you); surely
Allah ever watches over you.

The Koran 4:1

· This is a call from Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) to all humanity irrespective of their
creeds or religions.
· Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He), the Lord and Creator, calls humanity to fear Him and
to know that He has created them from a single soul, Adam, humanity’s father (may Allah’s
peace and blessings be upon him). From Adam, Allah created his mate, and she is Eve. (It
has been mentioned upon the tongue of the final Messenger and Prophet, Muhammad, who is truthful
and believed in, that Allah took a rib from Adam and from it created his mate Eve.)
Through the joining of every male and female from the offspring of Adam and Eve, Allah
(Glorified and Exalted be He) made all of humanity (with the exception of Jesus (upon him
Allah’s mercy and peace) who was created by Allah, from the Virgin Mary without any
father, but by Allah’s Word3 and the blowing of the angel of Jesus’ soul into Mary.
· After Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He), the Lord, taught us that He created all of us from
a single soul and commanded us that we fear Him; He then commands us a second time to
observe our duty toward Him and warns us from cutting the ties of the womb.
3 Allah said be and he was.

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· The womb (or rahm in Arabic) is that place from where the child grows. Allah (Glorified and
Exalted be He) derived for this organ a name from His names; Allah is ar-Rahman4 and this
organ is known as the rahm. This is so, because Allah calls us to be merciful with one
another and in particular with those whom we are linked with by a single womb.
For this reason among humans the mother is the most merciful as her child grew and
developed in her womb. After the mother, the most merciful among humans is the father, as
it was his seed that brought forth the fetus in the womb of the mother. After the parents, the
most merciful are the full brothers and sisters as they all are joined by a single womb in
which they grew and by one father who was their seed. After the siblings, the most merciful
are half-brothers and half-sisters, who share the same mother, as they all are from a single

womb even if their fathers are different; and then after them are half-brothers and half-
sisters from a single father; and so forth.

This mercy shared between all humanity is what distinguishes them from all animals.
· For all of humanity is united by a single, distant womb, the womb of Eve, and are then
united in closer wombs, like the womb that links brothers and sisters. This mercy shared by
humanity is the greatest matter that Allah distinguished humans with from all other animals
on earth.
· Neither intelligence itself nor the ability to provide for one’s needs is what distinguishes
humans from animals. The worms in the earth, the animals that crawl on the ground, the
beasts and birds, each knows how to acquire the necessities for its existence, how to store its
food, how to protect and raise its offspring; and how by its wits to reach the end of its
natural life span provided no event terminates its life.
· Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) then informs us in this verse that He is ever watchful
over all of us.
Among the meanings of His watchfulness over us is that He knows whatever we do during
night or day, secretly or openly. Indeed Allah knows our thoughts and what our hearts
conceal. Every instant He looks at us. Nothing is hidden from His Eyes that sleep not. He is
acquainted with our secrets, He hears our words, and He enumerates our deeds.
Allah has appointed for us the system, law, and way that He required from us to follow in
all our affairs. Allah revealed this system, law, and way to every generation and people
upon the tongues of His messengers and prophets, whom He sent to humanity during every
age, beginning with Adam (who was a prophet to whom Allah spoke) and concluding with
Muhammad (who is Allah’s messenger and prophet for all humanity from the moment that
Allah sent him till the Hour of Judgment is established and these heavens and earth come to
an end).

Upon the basis of this system, law, and way that Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) sent
down, He will judge us concerning we did. Did our actions agree with the truth and occur as
Allah commanded and legislated for us? Or did we in this life travel according to our whims and
desires and by what we legislated for our own selves and by what our minds devised?
4 Which in Arabic means the All-merciful.

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Equality of Men and Women in all Three Levels of the Islamic Religion
My brothers and sisters everywhere! Islam’s law—that Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) sent
down to His Messenger Muhammad—came to announce that women (exactly like men) are
full human beings. Women (like men) are therefore required to follow the way appointed by
Allah.

A woman (like a man) is therefore obligated with all three degrees of this religion: islam
(outward submission to Allah), iman (inward faith in Allah), and ihsan (perfection of
worship of Allah).

· It is thus required for every woman to testify that there is none deserving worship but Allah
and that Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger; to pray; to give charity; to fast; and to make a
pilgrimage to Allah’s House if she has the means.
· It is likewise required for every woman to believe in Allah, His angels, His scriptures, His
messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in Allah’s decree (and that the good and evil
consequences thereof are from Allah).
These are the fundamentals of islam and iman.
· It is likewise required for every woman to worship Allah as if she sees Him. For although
she cannot see Allah, she must believe that He sees whatever she does in secret and in
public.

Women (exactly like men) have been commanded with these three levels of the religion
(islam, iman, and ihsan).

· Women are also obligated to enjoin good and forbid evil; to wage jihad by saying that which
is truthful; and to adhere to all noble behavior, like: truthfulness, trustworthiness, courage,
modesty, and self-respect.
· Every Muslim woman is commanded to be steadfast in her religion and not to be negligent
with her faith. It is impermissible for her—under any pressure or compulsion—to open her
heart to accept the word of disbelief.5 Hence every Muslim woman falls under Allah’s
statement:

Whoso disbelieves in Allah, after he has believed—excepting him who has been
compelled, and his heart is still at rest with the Faith—but whosoever’s breast is
expanded in unbelief, upon them shall rest anger from Allah, and there awaits them a
mighty chastisement.

The Koran 16:106

Clearly when Islam charged women with all these duties and in all these obligations made
her equal to men, the intent was to honor her and permit her reach the highest degree of
perfection of her being.
For the duties that Allah has obligated humanity with are but a means to honor us. Prayer,
as well as fasting, is an honor for the servant and means to raise his rank. To adhere to
Allah’s straight path and the manners of Islam are, without doubt, means to honor us and
not humiliate us as is imagined by those who are ignorant of Allah and follow their desires.
Such people think and imagine that a human being who does not believe in Allah, does not
uphold the trust of these duties, and does not perform what Allah has commanded him is of
a higher standing than the believer who adheres to the obligations of Islam. Such an idea is
ignorance and renders human beings on par with the animals.
Humans have been created to be tried by Allah and have been charged with fulfilling these
duties to Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) and His creatures.6 As for animals, while they
have been by created by Allah, they have not been charged with this trust.7
6 Allah says:
Blessed be He in whose hand is the Kingdom—He is powerful over everything—who
created death and life, that He may try you which of you is fairest in works... .

The Koran 68:1-2

I have not created jinn and mankind except to worship Me [alone].
The Koran 51:56
7 Allah says:

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Whoever considers that human being who does not uphold what Allah has obligated an
equal to those who fulfill what Allah has obligated is like those who consider humans and
animals to be equal. For this reason, Allah has said:
Shall We then treat those who have surrendered (as Muslims) as We treat the guilty?

The Koran 68:35

And He has said:

We have created for hell many of the jinn and humanity; they have hearts, but
understand not with them; they have eyes, but perceive not with them; and they have
ears, but they hear not with them. These are like cattle; nay, rather they are further
astray! Those—they are the heedless.

The Koran 7:126

The disbeliever in Allah is a guilty criminal, for he does not know whom He is to worship,
his Creator, his Protector, his Lord, and He Who created this universe in which he lives. The
disbeliever enjoys what Allah has blessed him with and yet forgets the One Who blessed
and preferred him with such blessings. As for the believer, he is the honorable servant who
knows His Lord, God whom He worships, and Creator. He fulfills what Allah has obligated
and travels upon the path that Allah has delineated for him.

Islam and Women’s Work

We offfered the trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they refused to
carry it and were afraid of it; and man carried it. Surely he is unjust, ignorant. That
Allah may chastise the hypocrites, men and women alike, and the polytheists, men and
women alike; and that Allah may turn again unto the believers, men and women alike.
Allah is All-forgiving, All-compassionate.

The Koran 33:72-73

Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) lifted from women the obligation of working to provide
and support herself and her family. He made this obligation particular for men alone. Allah
commanded men to be responsible for the care of women during all stages of their life.
· While she is a child, she is under the care of her father. This responsibility is not lifted except
by her marriage or (his or her) death, nor does it cease after she reaches a certain age as
occurs in the laws of the ignorant who rule by their desires and their shallow minds.
· After she marries, the responsibility falls on her husband so long as she is under his care due
to the contract of marriage.
· If she has neither father or husband, the responsibility of her care falls on her brother who
assumes the role of the father when he is not present; and if she has no brother then
whoever is her closest male relative (from whom she would inherit and whom would
inherit from her) would assume the role of her father.
· If she has no male relatives, the obligation falls upon the Muslim community. The
responsibility of her care is a communal obligation; if none fulfills that, all have sinned.
Furthermore even if she is wealthy, Islam has dropped from her the obligation of assuming
care of anyone. With the presence of her husband (or for that matter her parents), it is not
required that she spend upon her children unless she seeks to do such as an act of
righteousness, kindness and observing ties of the womb. She is not obligated to work in
order to take care of herself or her children.

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