Towards Reviving the Ideal

All scholars of Islam have agreed on the concept of revivalism in Islam, based on the hadith: “Allah will raise at the turn of every century one who will revive His deen.” (Abu Dawud).

Self-correction, self-reform and rejuvenation are essential characteristics of this divinely guided Ummah. But this process is never easy, and it takes great effort and sacrifice from scholars and other believers alike.

One of the main reasons people resist reforms and insist on corrupt practices is their blind adherence to their traditions: “Whenever We sent a Warner before you (O Prophet) to any people, the wealthy ones among them said: ‘We found our fathers following a certain religion (way of life), and we will certainly follow in their footsteps.’” [43:23]

Any community needs continual reminders, reforms and revivals to be purified of the ailments it has acquired over time.

Harms of Unsound Traditions about Women

Several corrupt and un-Islamic traditions imported from other cultures have infiltrated Muslim societies, and some have been incorporated as ahadeeth. Such baseless statements are called maudoo’ (fabricated) and have been identified and rejected by the scholars of hadeeth.

Widespread misconceptions prevail among the uneducated masses because of the proliferation of weak and fabricated ahadeeth and stories.

Consider a few fabricated hadeeth, for example: “Seek their (women’s) advice and do the opposite.” This statement is against the actions of the Prophet, (pbuh) who sought the advice of his wives and accepted it. For instance, according to a Sahih hadeeth, he accepted the advice of Umm Salamah on the day of Hudaybiyyah.

Some others: “If it were not for the women, Allah would be truly worshipped”; “If it were not for the women, men would all enter Paradise.” These false reports go not only against reason and decency, they also contradict the clear verses of the Qur’an: “Believing men and believing women are protectors of each other: they enjoin what is just, forbid what is evil…” [9:71]

Another says: “Do not teach women writing, nor let them stay in rooms, but teach them Surah an-Noor.” Again, this false report goes against the equality, decency and mercy of our deen, and against Sahih ahadeeth which prove that the Prophet (pbuh) encouraged his wife Hafsa to learn writing and other skills.

Similarly, Aisha, his wife and Mother of the Believers, was one of the most learned persons in the entire Ummah.

To be continued…

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