"sister-in-islam" wrote:
Bismillah. The Muslim Woman and her Community When it comes to Islamic duties, the Muslim woman is similar to the Muslim man: she has a mission in life, and so she is required to be as effective, active and social as her particular circumstances and capabilities allow, mixing with other women as much as she can and dealing with them in accordance with the worthy Islamic attitudes and behavior that distinguish her from other women. Wherever the Muslim woman is found, she becomes a beacon of guidance, and a positive source of correction and education, in both word and deed. Good Attitude Towards Others The Muslim woman is of good and noble character: friendly, humble and tactful. She likes others and is liked by them. By achieving these traits, she is following the example of the Prophet who, as his servant Anas (RAA) reported, was "the best of people in his attitude towards others." Anas (RAA) saw much of the Prophet's good attitude, and witnessed such good mannerisms that no one could imagine existed in any human being. He told us of one aspect of that noble character of the Prophet: "I served the Messenger of Allah for ten years, and he never said to me `Uff!' (The smallest word of contempt). If I did anything, he never said, `Why did you do that?' And if I did not do something, he never said, `Why did you not do such-and-such?'" The Prophet was of the best character, as Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) said: "And you [stand] on an exalted standard of character." (Qur'an 68:4) He repeatedly told his Sahabah (companions) of the effect that a good attitude would have on forming an Islamic personality and in raising a person's status in the sight of Allah (SWT) and people. He told them: "Among the best of you are those who have the best attitude (towards others)." The Sahabah (RAA) - men and women alike - used to hear the Prophet's noble teachings, and they would see with their own eyes the excellent way in which he used to deal with people. So they would obey his words and follow his example. Thus was established their society, which has never been equaled by any other in the history of mankind. If good attitudes and manners among non-Muslims are the result of a good upbringing and solid education, then among Muslims such good attitudes come, above all, from the guidance of Islam, which makes good attitudes a basic characteristic of the Muslim, one which will raise his status in this world and will weigh heavily in his favor in the Hereafter. No deed will count for more on the Day of Judgment than a man's good attitude, as the Prophet said: "Nothing will weigh more heavily in the balance of the believing servant on the Day of Resurrection than a good attitude (towards others). Verily Allah (SWT) hates those who utter vile words and obscene speech." Islam also describes those who have the best attitude towards others as being the most beloved to Allah (SWT) of His servants. This is seen in the hadith of Usamah ibn Shurayk, who said: "We were sitting with the Prophet as if there were birds on our heads: none of us were talking. Some people came to him and asked, `Who is the most beloved to Allah (SWT) of His Servants?' He said, `Those who are the best in attitude towards others.'" It comes as no surprise that the person who has the best attitude towards others should also be the one who is most beloved to Allah (SWT), for good treatment of others is an important feature of Islamic law. It is the most significant deed that can be placed in the balance of the Muslim on the Day of Judgment, as we have seen. It is equivalent to prayer and fasting, the two greatest bases of Islam, as the Prophet said: "No greater deed will be placed in the balance than a good attitude towards others. A good attitude towards others will bring a person up to the level of fasting and prayer." The one who sets out to explore Islamic teachings on social issues will find himself confronted with a host of teachings that encourage every single one of these noble characteristics. This is an indication of the intense Islamic concern of forming the social personality of the Muslim in the most precise fashion. So it does not stop at mentioning generalities, but it also deals with every minor moral issue that may form individual aspects of the integrated social personality. This comprehensiveness does not exist in other social systems as it does in Islam. Henceforth, the researcher who sets out to explore the character of the Muslim woman has no alternative but to examine all these texts, and to understand the guidance and legislation contained therein. Only then will he be able to fully comprehend the noble social personality that is unique to the true Muslim - man or woman.
One of my Aunties is a well known Salafi Scholar in Pakistan whom I visited a few years ago. She has done a lot of Salafi Dawah in Pakistan and worked with a lot of irls in her city and is well known.
My uncle told her blatantly, "I don't care how much Sunnah you know but you will most likely end up in Jahannum because your husband is diabetic because you never looked after his diet...Your kids are obese and filthy because you never look after them...."
I bit harsh but I always reflect upon those words.
