CONVERTING TO ISLAAM

It's a beautiful spring evening, the wind is calm, the air is still, the smell of freshness consumes my nostrils as I hear the thoughts of my heart crying out for guidance and my mind pondering over my life walking through my neighborhood in Irvington, NJ. What will I do with the rest of my life, what is my purpose? Without any doubt, I know there’s a God and that heaven and hell are real; I don’t know why I know it, but I know it and when will I know how to get into heaven. Truly, I don’t want to go to hell.

Yet, I don't beleive all that I have experienced in religions, and Lord knows I've experienced my share, are the correct guidelines to worshipping God let alone getting into heaven. Now I wonder what, where and when will the correct religion be opened up to me. So, I began to make a supplication to my Lord, although I don’t know who He is I know He is, "Oh God please show me what is correct and which way I should go and remove me from this confusion I'm in". And, Allaah answers dua'a! I didn’t know that then, but its true.

The next day I traveled to downtown Newark, NJ and happened to be in the area where there were a lot of Muslims. I thought, this may be it and at the same moment I began to remember my past experiences with religions. First, Christianity from my Mother and her people, the Father, Son & Holy Ghost. I had great difficulty understanding this concept, even as a child, because I understood that Father and son were people so I also wondered who were these people we worshipped, why did we worship them and where were they located. The Holy Ghost did not fit because we always watched these TV shows that showed ghosts as transparencies that scared people. I could never figure a ghost to be holy after being taught they were frightening. I was confused and could never believe what my Mother wanted me to believe.

At the age of fourteen I decided to embrace this Christian religion on another level with the Penecostals, well I wanted to impress a boy. They taught me to sing and shout and praise God by saying Hallelujah. The music was loud, pounding in your chest, the people were emotional, crying, testifying and speaking words no one could understand; (speaking in tongues) all because the spirit moves you. Now all of this was fun because we traveled from state to state, city to city with this performance but no one ever explained why and who we were worshipping God in this manner other than the spirit moves you and sometimes they thought that Jesus was God.

Now, Jesus being God was not a concept I could conceive because while growing up Jesus was the son of God. Confused again and unable to believe this concept of worship, the fascination for the boy wore off so did the religion and I moved on.

Two years later at age sixteen, trying to figure out who I am and who I'm going to emulate, any body except Mom, I decided to go to the Temple Number 25 in Newark, NJ where the people went who were in “The Nation Of Islam”. I wanted to see what was all this hooplah Muhammad Ali was talking about. This man Elijah Muhammad, a black man, a Prophet with a religion only for black people and the proof that white people are devils. Oh! and that's not all he has a way for us to get back our land that was stolen from us along with a mule. Plus he's going to teach us "How To Eat To Live". I was enthralled with this concept and with due right. I'm black, I want my land back and my mule, I need to eat to live and my Mom hated the whole idea and she was able to prove that this was not a religion from God with the Bible. But, I needed something that did not emulate her even though she was right. By the way, I couldn't figure out the deal with the land and the mule anyway; I never had any land and/or a mule and if I got it back what would I do with it? I'm from the city, I don't know anything about land let alone a mule. I've never even seen a mule, but I'm going to check it out and I did.

Well, it all seemed good with women covering and having their own vanguard army, raising children, sewing, cooking and being respected by men. The men were soldiers, marrying, building a nation and protecting the women and children. Growing their own foods and raising animals along with owning businesses. Most importantly, we were all happy with the concept that the white man was the devil, we needed every reason to hate the white man. We were once his slaves, although none of us had ever even seen a slave, let alone been a slave. All this under the guise of 'Islam' i.e. "The Nation of Islam".

We had the Quraan and Allaah is our Lord. Then the rhetoric began with mixing the versus of the Bible with the versus of the Quraan and the pictures of Allaah. They depicted Allaah as a little white man, I mean little in stature and apparently he was seen only a little no one could verify where this man was. Now how could this little man be the God of the Universe, the universe is massive and he's so little, not to mention he's a white man. There's no way a white man could be the devil and our Lord at the same time. Well, they lost me with that.

Several years later successful administrative assistant working my way up the corporate ladder for one of the top law firms, I was introduced to Buddhism by a co-worker. Here, I go again, but I got to try, I need to find out how to really worship, get into heaven and be a good person.

Well, they teach you how to chant, to go inside yourself and find your inner strength to overcome that which seems to be hard for you. After the chanting, going inside yourself and reading passages from the handbook/prayer book the offering time came. It was incumbent upon you to leave a gift/sacrifice for the Buddha and he, Buddha is answering your chant through your chi and because of your offering.

The reason I say “the Buddha” is because the session of chanting can be done in a group, in someone's house, in the temple alone or in a group it did'nt matter because they had so many Buddhas. You could take it, Buddha, home with you, put it in your purse and/or leave it in your car. Buddha not only was many but he also had many sizes, from hand holding size to giant size that was tall as a building.

I really couldn't stay here, none of this was getting into my head especially when you had to leave a gift/sacrifice for Buddha; a decent piece of fruit, an exorbitant amount of cash and/or burn an incense for a statute who I knew could not get up and do anything with these gifts/sacrifices he’s a statute. I saw others leaving their gifts/sacrifices and as they did, I wondered who really was taking those gifts/sacrifices. Each night, when we returned the fruit, now rottened, was still there and the incense had burned out, but who, who took that money and those checks? Buddha, I don't think so.

Now, back in the area where I see all Muslims, the muslim ladies fully covered, some with veils on their faces and gloves on their hands and the men with their white thobes, short pants and beards, I decided to ask about Islaam. It was told to me that Islaam is to worship Allaah alone and to believe that Muhammad ibn Abdullaah (s.a.w.) is His slave and Last Messenger and to obey Allaah and Muhammad (s.a.w.), to pray, to fast, to give charity and to make the Pilgrimage/Hajj.

I said; "wow, how do I do that?" Take Shahaadahtain/Bear Witness to the Oneness of Allaah. I knew this was what I was looking for so I took Shahaadahtain and this time I got it right because Allaah answered that dua'a and guided me to His Perfect Religion, Islaam.

So, I took Shahaadahtain and here I am some 15 years later a Muslimah, striving to be a true believer, obeying Allaah and His Messenger (s.a.w.) to the best of my ability and I haven't regretted any of it.

May Allaah forgive me of my sins and bless me with Jannah and save me from Jahannum; AMEEN!!!

May Allaah continue me on the Straight Path; Ameen!!!

A WIFE

A Talk by Shaykh Abdullah Adhami

A WIFE

By getting married you are not just getting a wife, you are getting your whole world. From now until the rest of your days your wife will be your partner, your companion, and your best friend.

She will share your moments, your days, and your years. She will share your joys and sorrows, your successes and failures, your dreams and your fears. When you are ill, she will take the best care of you; when you need help, she will do all she can for you;

When you have a secret, she will keep it; when you need advice, she will give you the best advice. She will always be with you: when you wake up in the morning the first thing your eyes will see will be hers; during the day, she will be with you, if for a moment she is not with you by her physical body, she will be thinking of you, praying for you with all her heart, mind, and soul; when you go to sleep at night, the last thing your eyes will see will be her; and when you are asleep you will still see her in your dreams. In short, she will be your whole world and you will be her whole world.

The best description that I personally have ever read describing the closeness of the spouses to each other is the Qur'anic verse which says: "they are your garments and you are their garments" (Surah Al Baqarah 2:187). Indeed, spouses are like garments to each other because they provide one another with the protection, the comfort, the cover, the support, and the adornment that garments provide to humans. Just imagine a journey in the winter of Alaska without garments! Our spouses provide us with the same level of comfort, protection, cover, and support in the journey of our lives on this earth as garments would do in the Alaskan journey.

The relationship between the spouses is the most amazing of all human relations: the amount of love and affection, intimacy and closeness, mercy and compassion, peace and tranquillity that fills the hearts of the spouses is simply inexplicable. The only rational explanation for these most amazing of all human feelings is that: it is an act of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, "And Allah has made for you Mates (and Companions) of your own nature ..." (Surah Al Nahl 16:72) Only our Almighty Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala in His Infinite Power, Boundless Mercy, and Great Wisdom can create and ingrain these amazing and blessed feelings in the hearts of the spouses. In fact Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala is reminding those who search for His signs in the universe that these feelings in the hearts of the spouses are among the signs that should guide humans to His existence as He says in the Qur'an, "And among His signs is this,that He created for you mates from among yourselves that you maydwell in tranquillity with them and He has put love and mercy between your hearts: verily in that are signs for those who reflect." (Surah Al Rum 30:21)

But Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala knows that the human heart is not a static entity, it is sometimes weak and at times dynamic. Feelings can and do change with time. Love may wither and fade away. The marital bond might weaken if not properly cared for. Happiness in marriage cannot be taken for granted; continuous happiness requires constant giving from both sides. For the tree of marital love to remain alive and keep growing, the soil has to be sustained, maintained, watered and nurtured.

Remember that our Prophet Muhammad Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam had found the time to go out to the desert and race with his wife Aisha. She out ran him but later after she had gained some weight, he out ran her.

Remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam took his wife to watch the young Ethiopians playing and dancing their folk dances. The show of emotions is necessary to keep the marital bond away from rusting and disintegrating.

Remember that you will be rewarded by Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala for any emotions you show to your wife as the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam said "one would be rewarded for anything that he does seeking the pleasure of Allah even the food that he puts in the mouth of his wife."

Never underestimate the importance of seemingly little things as putting food in your wife's mouth, opening the car's door for her, etc. Remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam used to extend his knee to his wife to assist her up to ride the camel.

Try to always find some time for both of you to pray together. Strengthening the bond between you and Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala is the best guarantee that your own marital bond would always remain strong. Having peace with Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala will always result in having more peace at home.

Remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam gave glad tidings for those couples who wake up at night to pray together. The Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam even urged the spouse who rises up first to wake the other spouse up even by throwing cold water on his/her face.

Always try your best to be good to your wife by words and by deeds. Talk to her, smile to her, seek her advice, ask for her opinion, spend quality time with her and always remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam said "the best of you are those who are best to their wives."

Finally, it is common that spouses vow to love and honor their spouses until death do them part. I do believe that this vow is good or even great, but not enough! It is not enough that you love your wife. You have to love what she loves as well. Her family, her loved ones must also become your loved ones. Don't be like my colleague who was unhappy about his wife's parents coming to visit for few weeks. He candidly said to her "I don't like your parents." Naturally, she angrily looked at him straight in the eye and said " I don't like yours either"... Also, it is not enough that you love her until death do you part. Love should never end and we do believe there is life after death where those who did righteousness in this world will be joined by their spouses (Surah Al Zukhruf 43:70) and offsprings.

The best example in this regard is the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam whose love for Khadija, his wife of 25 years extended to include all those she loved and continued even after her death. It was many years after her death and he never forgot her and whenever a goat was slaughtered in his house he would send portions of it to Khadija's family and friends and whenever he felt that the visitor at the door might be Khadija's sister Hala, he would pray saying "O Allah let it be Hala."

HIJAAB, HAYAA

“Every religion has a quality characteristic of that religion, and the characteristic of Islam is modesty.” – Ibn Majah

How remarkable and astonishing it is that the way Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala created Islam, every detail in it has deeply rooted meanings, values, and effects. So much so, in fact, that each letter found in the Quran is a carefully placed treasure. If anything in it was even slightly altered, misplaced, or mispronounced, this completely changes the original meanings it was intended to have. The hasaanat for pronouncing each letter are also mighty because they are multiplied by ten.

Overall, nothing in Islam, even washing in between the toes during wudu, is insignificant. Some matters are simply more important than others, but everything revealed to us by our Lord is noteworthy. Subhan Allah.

In addition to this, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala specifically chose for this blessed religion to be conveyed in Arabic because of the incredible richness the language carries, which is parallel to no other language. For instance, much can be expressed in the ancient Arabic language by a few words, but the quality of rhetoric never wanes. Arabic words have multiple meanings; they can quickly stir vehement emotions, draw vivid pictures for us to clearly visualize, and be strung together flawlessly like the beads of a necklace to create eloquent verses, all by the power and grace of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. Not to mention, each word in the Quran has been preserved for over 1400 years, and yet, everything in it is just as applicable today as it was in the past and will be in the future. After all, the religion of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala is meant for all of humankind, for all times.

With these things in mind, it would be committing a severe injustice to appreciate the letters, words, verses, rulings, and all the other blessings of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala only at face value. Doing so would be more ignorant than appreciating the human body by what only the eye can see, when there are a myriad of miraculous functions, designs, networks, and complexities found only inside the body. Similarly, beneath the surface of every letter, word, verse, and ruling in the Quran, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala has placed infinite priceless jewels waiting to be discovered. To unbury them, we are commanded to seek ilm (knowledge) and ponder over the creation of the heavens and the earth and all that is in between.

It comes as no surprise, then, that the commandment of hijab is meant to teach us a lot more than willingly throwing sheets over our bodies in front of non-mahram men – just like salah is supposed to teach us far more than the physical actions of salah, we learn humility and elimination of racism from it too, for example – if we grasp the spirit of it.

In addition to dressing modestly outdoors, hijab is also meant to teach women to fully honor the bodies they have been blessed with by embracing hayaa at all times, in front of every type of person, in all different situations.

Therefore, before anyone of us hijabis dares to point a finger criticizing the sister that doesn’t wear hijab properly, be it because of tight clothes, ostentation, glamorous abayas, hair showing, or whatever else the reason may be, let us thoroughly examine ourselves first. Have we seriously, truly, allowed hijab to teach us all it is meant to teach? Do we express genuine modesty not only outdoors, but in the presence of our fellow Muslimahs, siblings, parents, and husbands as well?

Islam does not define hayaa as embarrassment or humiliation a woman (or man) feels about herself. Rather, it perceives it as the care and concern she has about persevering her modesty at all times through dressing appropriately in front of all people.

Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, I honestly cannot thank my Lord enough that hijab has actually taught me this. I have learned that hayaa is more close and beloved to me than my very own garments themselves. Although, of course, there is always room for improvement, I have certainly come a long way.

Even in front of people allowed to see me unveiled, I do not have the heart to wear immodest clothes. I can never wear pants that have some awkward saying displayed grossly on the rear end to emphasize the hips, or shirts that do similar to emphasize the chest, or low cut tops, excessively tight clothes, and the list goes on and on.

Truth be told, I also have an aversion towards lingerie for quite a few reasons. Although, as I have learned, it is mubah in and of itself, there is great haraam that engulfs it. The entire culture surrounding it – from the provocative display of near-naked models, to the inappropriate poses, to the messages sent out to woman about their bodies – is a culture that kills the very essence of hayaa. As I have learned, the righteous people of the past would have frowned upon and abstained from the various ways we attain sexual pleasure nowadays, particularly because in absolutely everything in our religion there is modesty. There is modesty in worship, talking, and even love. Hence, for a deeper and more conservative hayaa, just the mere thought of lingerie puts a foul taste in my mouth and gets me uncomfortable.

It has been revealed to us repeatedly in Islam that Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala has honored the children of Adam alayhi assalam, so we should not lower ourselves. Alhamdulillah once again, I strive to never degrade myself by subjugating my body as a toy. I try to dress respectfully and elegantly, and further manifest these qualities through my conduct, as hijab has also taught me to do.

As a matter of fact, it would destroy me to lend a single penny supporting utterly immoral companies that go against the hayaa Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala has placed in all His slaves’ fitrah, especially in females; companies that promote unbelievably tremendous fitnah, disrespect, and dishonor; companies that raise money and earn success by proliferating indecency and the overall devaluing of women and their bodies. The pious women of our Ummah, such as the wives (may Allah be pleased with them) of the Prophet salla Allahu alayhi wasallam, deeply cared for their hayaa and honor every minute of the day. Beneath the modest outer garments (or jilbabs) they wore outdoors, they wore very modest clothing, even when they were in the seclusion of their homes.

This does not mean they were unkempt, unconfident or uncaring about their appearance, especially in front of their husband, salla Allahu alayhi wasallam – far from it. These women spoke their opinions, were extremely knowledgeable, helped greatly in social affairs, and also beautified themselves (decently and indoors), and kept clean and presentable, as Islam urges all women to do within appropriate limits. At the same time, however, they understood far better than any of us that, although hijab is removable, hayaa is not, and they honored this enormous blessing of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala placed even more in His female slaves than His male ones.

These are the worthy women we must emulate.

Sisters, our hayaa is such a precious, delicate, and priceless gift from Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala that requires the utmost care and concern. To execute justice in receiving this invaluable gift, we really have to ponder over the additional lessons hijab is supposed to teach, and then apply them graciously to our lives, so we can unbury those jewels and increase our own value. Insha’Allah, in our efforts to dig deeper and change for the better, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala will love us more, because He wants for us to reflect over His commandments and live our lives as nobly as possible. After all, we are the best nation ever created, so let us be deserving of this honorable title by exemplifying modesty in every aspect of our lives, just as the righteous women of the past, may Allah be pleased with them, did.

COMPLAIN TO ALLAAH

A precious Gem: The Complain of the Ignorant, Ibn Al-Qayyim , Al Fuwaid

(taken from the English translation of the book) p. 134

The ignorant people complain to people about Allaah, and this is the

highest degree of ignorance, for if he had known his Lord, he would not

have complained about Him, and if he had known the people he would not

have complained to them.

One of the predecessors saw a man complaining to another man about his

poverty and dire necessity. He said to him, 'O you! By Allaah, you have

done nothing but complain about He who has mercy for you, to the one who

has no mercy for you'.

The following words have been mentioned about the meaning of the

previous statement of the predecessor.

*When you complain to a son of Adam,,,,verily you complain about the

Most Merciful,,,,,, to the one who does not pity*.

On the contrary, the person who is profoundly knowledgeable about

Allaah complains to Allaah alone. And the most knowledgeable person

about Allaah is the one who complains about himself to Allaah, and never

to people. He complains about the causes that make people do wrong to

him, for he knows about the following ayah,

'And whatever of misfortune befalls you it is because of what your

hands have earned. And He pardons much' (Ash-Shura, 42: 30)

'Whatever of good reaches you, is from Allaah but whatever of evil

befalls you, is from yourself.'

(An-Nisa, 4: 79)

'(What is the matter with you?). When a single disaster smites you,

although you smote (your enemies) with one twice as great, you say:

'From where does this come to us?' Say (to them), 'It is from yourselves

(because of your evil deeds). 'And Allaah has power over all things.

(Al-Imran, 3: 165)

Therefore, there are three levels: the lowest one is to complain about

Allaah to his creatures, the highest one is to complain about yourself

to Him and the middle one is to complain about His creatures to Him.

May Allaah make us from those who complain to Him alone about

ourselves, He the Majestic and Most High, Ameen.

THUL HIJJAH

THE MONTH OF HAJJ

HAJJ is the fifth (5th) pillar of Islaam. It is a once in a lifetime obligation upon every male and female who are sane adults, who have good health and who have the financial means to do so.

ALLAAH says; "And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka'bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allaah, those who can afford the expenses (for one's conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves (i.e. denies Hajj), then he is a disbeliever of Allaah". (Imraan 3:97)

In carrying out this obligation Muslims fulfill Allaah's call to Ibraheem (Abraham) to sacrifice for the sake of Allaah.

ALLAAH says; "And proclaim to mankind the Hajj. They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway to perform Hajj".

That they may witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e. the reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade), and mention the Name of Allaah on appointed days over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice). Then eat thereof and feed therewith the poor who have a very hard time". (Al Hajj 22:27-28)

Narrated Abu Hurairah (ra), Allaah's Messenger (sallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said, "Whoever performs Hajj to the House (Ka'bah) and does not approach his wife for sexual relations nor commits sins (while performing Hajj), he will come out as sinless as a newly born child (just delivered by its mother)". (Sahih Bukhari Vol3, No. 45)

THE DAY OF ARAFAT

It is the ninth (9th of Thul Hijjah) and the pilgrims are worshipping Allaah with Salaat and Dua'a and we, here at home, are worshipping Allaah with Salaat and fasting. And the people who complete their fast this day, Allaah will forgive them of their sins for the last year and the upcoming year; Maa Sha Allaah. Stay at Arafat from sunrise until sunset

There is no god but Allaah, there is no partner with Allaah, He has all the Sovereignty and He deserves all the praises. He is Almighty Allaah Who is capable of everything; AMEEN!!!

THE DAY OF EID

It is the tenth (10th of Thul Hijjah) and now comes the Eid, Eidul Adha, The Slaughter for the pilgrims and The Celebration for the Muslims at home and The Slaughter. The pilgrims will slaughter and eat and then make their farewell Tawaf and the Muslim women and children will celebrate while the men go out to slaughter at home. AL HAMDULILLAAH!!!!

ALLAAH says, "That is the command. Whoever glorifies the commands of Allaah, it surely is from the devotion of the hearts". (Al Hajj 22:32)

OUR LORD! GIVE US THE GOOD IN THIS WORLD AND THE GOOD IN THE HEREAFTER, AND SAVE US FROM THE FIRE; AMEEN!!!

THE EXPLANATION & UNDERSTANDING OF VEILING &HIJAB

The Tafsir of Surat An-Nur

Ayaat 24:31

And tell the believing women to lower their gaze, and protect their private parts and not to show off their adornment except that which is apparent, and to draw their veils all over their Juyub and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband's fathers, or their sons, or their husband's sons, or their brothers or their brother's sons, or their sister's sons, or their women, or their right hand possessions, or the Tabi`in among men who do not have desire, or children who are not aware of the nakedness of women. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful.)

The Rulings of Hijab

This is a command from Allah to the believing women, and jealousy on

on His part over the wives of His believing servants. It is also to

distinguish the believing women from the women of the Jahiliyyah and the deeds of the pagan women. The reason for the revelation of this Ayah was mentioned by Muqatil bin Hayyan, when he said: "We heard -- and Allah knows best -- that Jabir bin `Abdullah Al-Ansari narrated that Asma' bint Murshidah was in a house of hers in Bani Harithah, and the women started coming in to her without lower garments so that the anklets on their feet could be seen, along with their chests and forelocks. Asma' said: `How ugly this is!' Then Allah revealed:

And tell the believing women to lower their gaze...)'' And Allah says:

(And tell the believing women to lower their gaze) meaning, from that which Allah has forbidden them to look at, apart from their husbands. [Some] scholars said that it is permissible for women to look at non-Mahram men without desire, as it was recorded in the Sahih that the Messenger of Allah was watching the Ethiopians playing with spears in the Masjid on the day of `Id, and `A'ishah the Mother of the believers was watching them from behind him and he was concealing her from them, until she got bored and went away.

(and protect their private parts). Sa`id bin Jubayr said: "From immoral actions.'' Abu Al-`Aliyah said: "Every Ayah of the Qur'an in which protecting the private parts is mentioned means protecting them from Zina, except for this Ayah – (and protect their private parts), which means protecting them from being seen by anybody.''

and not to show off their adornment except that which is apparent,) means, they should not show anything of their adornment to non-Mahram men except for whatever it is impossible to hide. Ibn Mas`ud said: "Such as clothes and outer garments,'' Meaning what the Arab women used to wear of the veil which covered their clothes and whatever showed from underneath the outer garment. There is no blame on her for this, because this is something that she cannot conceal. Similar to that is what appears of her lower garment and what she cannot conceal. Al-Hasan, Ibn Sirin, Abu Al-Jawza', Ibrahim An-Nakha`i and others also had the same view as Ibn Mas`ud.

and to draw their veils all over their Juyub) means that they should wear the outer garment in such a way as to cover their chests and ribs, so that they will be different from the women of the Jahiliyyah, who did not do that but would pass in front of men with their chests completely uncovered, and with their necks, forelocks, hair and earrings uncovered. So Allah commanded the believing women to cover themselves, as He says:

(O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known, so as not to be annoyed) [33:59] And in this noble Ayah He said:

and to draw their (Khumur) veils all over their Juyub) Khumur (veils) is the plural of Khimar, which means something that covers, and is what is used to cover the head. This is what is known among the people as a veil. Sa`id bin Jubayr said:

(and to draw) means to pull it around and tie it securely.

(their veils all over their Juyub) means, over their necks and chests so that nothing can be seen of them. Al-Bukhari recorded that `A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said: "May Allah have mercy on the women of the early emigrants. When Allah revealed the Ayah:

(and to draw their veils all over their Juyub), they tore their aprons and Akhtamar/covered themselves with them.'' He also narrated from Safiyyah bint Shaybah that `A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, used to say: "When this Ayah:

(and to draw their veils all over their Juyub) was revealed, they took their Izars (waistsheets) and tore them at the edges, and Akhtamar/covered themselves with them.''

(and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband's fathers, or their sons, or their husband's sons, or their brothers or their brother's sons, or their sister's sons,) All of these are a woman's close relatives whom she can never marry (Mahram) and it is permissible for her to show her adornments to them, but without making a wanton display of herself. Ibn Al-Mundhir recorded that `Ikrimah commented on this Ayah,

(and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband's fathers...), "The paternal uncle and maternal uncle are not mentioned here, because they may describe a woman to their sons, so a woman should not remove her Khimar in front of her paternal or maternal uncle.''With regard to the husband, all of this is for his sake, so she should try her best when adorning herself for him, unlike the way she should appear in front of others.

(or their women,) this means that she may also wear her adornment in front of other Muslim women, but not in front of the women of Ahl Adh-Dhimmah (Jewish and Christian women and disbelievers), lest they describe her to their husbands and others like them. This is prohibited for all women, but more so in the case of the women of Ahl Adh-Dhimmah, because there is nothing to prevent them from doing that, but Muslim women know that it is unlawful and so, would be deterred from doing it. The Messenger of Allah said:

(No woman should describe another woman to her husband so that it is as if he is looking at her.) It was recorded in the Two Sahihs from Ibn Mas`ud.

(or their right hand possessions. ) Ibn Jarir said, "This means from among the women of the idolators. It is permissible for a Muslim woman to reveal her adornment before such a woman, even if she is an idolatress, because she is her slave-girl.'' This was also the view of Sa`id bin Al-Musayyib. Allah says; (Tabi`in among men who do not have desire,) such as hired servants and followers who are not at the same level as the woman and are feeble-minded and have no interest in or desire for women. Ibn `Abbas said, "This is the kind of person who has no desire.'' `Ikrimah said, "This is the hermaphrodite, who does not experience erections.'' This was also the view of others among the Salaf. It was narrated in the Sahih from `A'ishah that a hermaphrodite, used to enter upon the family of the Messenger of Allah and they used to consider him as one of those who do not have desire, but then the Messenger of Allah came in when he was describing a woman with four rolls of fat in front and eight behind. The Messenger of Allah said, (Lo! I think this person knows what is they are; he should never enter upon you.) He expelled him, and he stayed in Al-Bayda' and only came on Fridays to get food.

(or children who are not aware of the nakedness of women. ) Because they are so young they do not understand anything about women or their `Awrah or their soft speech or their enticing ways of walking and moving. If a child is small and does not understand that, there is nothing wrong with him entering upon women, but if he is an adolescent or approaching adolescence, so that he knows and understands these things, and can make a distinction between who is beautiful and who is not, then he should not enter upon women. It was recorded in the Two Sahihs that the Messenger of Allah said:

(Avoid entering upon women.) It was said, "O Messenger of Allah, what do you think about the male in-laws'' He said:

(The male in-law is death.)

MORE KNOWLEDGE FOR THE WOMEN

The Muslim woman is a Shepherd.

(Qur’an At Tahreem 66:6): ‘Oh ye who believe save yourselves and your families from the fire…’.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said: ‘Everyone is a shepherd and everyone of you will be questioned about his flock… and a woman is a shepherd over her husband’s house and she will be questioned about her flock’.

This shows that the Muslim woman in her own right is a leader and hence is responsible for those who are under her authority. And as a shepherd has knowledge of what is beneficial and what is harmful for his sheep, so to the Muslim woman must know what is either beneficial or harmful toward her household and this cannot be attained except through knowledge of the religion. If she doesn’t have any knowledge of Islam she would be unable to teach her children and command them toward doing what is correct and prohibit them from what is reprehensible.

The Muslim woman commands the good and forbids the evil

(Qur’an Ali Imraan 3:110): ‘You are the best of people taken out of mankind, you command the good and forbid the evil and believe in Allah’.

Narrated in Saheeh Muslim on the authority of Abi Sa’eed Al Khudri the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said: ‘Whomsoever sees an evil then let him change it with his hands, if not let him change it with his tongues, if not let him change it with his heart and this is the weakest of Eeman’.

Narrated in Saheeh Muslim on the authority of Tameem Ad Daari the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said: ‘The religion is advice (3 times)’. The Companions asked: ‘To whom O Messenger of Allah’. He said: ‘To Allah, the Messenger, the Muslim leaders and the rest of the Muslims’.

Advising, commanding the good and forbidding the evil is obligatory upon every Muslim male and female according to their capacity. Hence, she must command the good and forbid the evil with her husband, her children and fellow sisters. If she doesn’t do so she would be questioned for such on the day of reckoning.