Our society is in need of reform and all powers should collectively cooperate in this process of reform. The desired reform can never be achieved by the state alone, the individual alone, men alone, women alone, the home alone, the school alone or the system alone. All these institutions and individuals must cooperate in establishing the foundations of reform and watch over it until it bears its fruit. The woman, especially she who is cultured, is a fundamental and vital factor within the process of reform. In this concise article, we will shed light on the woman’s duty towards herself and her home as performing this duty qualifies her to perform her duty towards her society.
Sense of Responsibility
The first step that enables the woman to do all this is to feel that she is responsible for her family and nation before Allah The Almighty. Feeling that she is responsible before Allah The Almighty urges her to do her best and keep away from negligence because Allah The Exalted knows the treacherous and stealthy looks and that which the hearts conceal. This necessitates her to get rid of indifference and to develop devotion to her own personal affairs like many cultured women do these days. This also requires her to shoulder part of the burdens of reformation and construction. Indeed, human life could never continue without the woman, hence, it is natural for her to participate in all the affairs of life.
The second step consists of several factors that raise the woman and prepare her to undertake the mission of reform. These factors include:
1- Strengthening her connection with the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet, : The Quran represents light, guidance and a strong bond. Whoever holds on to it succeeds, is guided to the right path and attains happiness in this life and in the Hereafter. Similarly, the Sunnah of the Prophet, , is the ultimate guidance and the clear path. Hence, it is improper for a cultured Muslim woman to be occupied by diverse life affairs in such a way that she is prevented from returning to these two sources from which to take her provisions. Yes, it is improper for her to let a day pass without dedicating some time to the Quran and the Sunnah, and to read and meditate over them. This strong connection should turn into practical adherence, which makes her life a living interpretation of what came in the Quran and the Sunnah. Also, this connection should urge her to take care of her soul and worship, whether the obligatory or the recommended acts of worship, as intellectual uprising and spiritual radiance are two magnificent means that enable any woman wishing to work in the field of Da‘wah (propagation) to succeed and work diligently.
2- Developing her culture through reading and acquiring more knowledge. This keeps her away from falling into the trivialities into which many women have fallen after forsaking reading as soon as they obtained their higher education certificates.
3- Committing herself to preparing the righteous medium where she lives, cooperates in goodness and exchanging advice. She should only keep in touch with those who will support her to undertake her great mission, which is reform and construction. Allah The Almighty commanded His Prophet, , to do the same when He Says (what means): {And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect.}[Quran 18:28]
4- She should conduct a dual process with herself, which depends on these two elements:
1- Objective, neutral and ceaseless evaluation of her work, in addition to criticizing her own acts as if they were the acts of another woman.
2- Planning to transform the current situation into the ideal one depending on the experiment that she went through and criticized.
All this prepares the cultured Muslim woman to assume her duty that has two main fields: the home and society.
The Home is a Fortified Castle
The home is the fortified castle that the enemies of Islam still target in an attempt to detach it from any Islamic influence, but they have not yet succeeded in conquering it completely. Nevertheless, they have succeeded in sneaking into some of its members through the educational curricula and mass media. They are proceeding with their cunning and destructive plans, and the more a Muslim home lacks awareness, the more those enemies will achieve their aims easily. The woman is the main pillar of the Muslim home and it is her duty to protect her home from the destructive methods of its enemies. It is her duty to guarantee that the Muslim home will continue to undertake its everlasting mission in bringing up the children of this nation who adhere to Islam and pledge allegiance to it.
A truly cultured Muslim woman could turn her home into a mine of heroes. History has told us about giants in all fields whose Muslim homes greatly influenced them. For example, the righteous home of Ibn Taymiyyah played a remarkable role in raising him on seeking knowledge, Jihaad, righteousness and reform. Similarly, we have heard about reformist pioneers and activists in the field of Islamic Da‘wah whose Muslim homes primarily influenced their upbringing. A sincere, wise and cultured Muslim woman would protect her children and husband against deviation. Moreover, if this woman had a strong personality, she would reform the conditions of her brothers, sisters and parents and guide all of them to the right way of Islam.
Raising a Generation of Holy Warriors Rather Than a Generation That Lives in Luxury
Today’s generation lives in luxury and is spoiled by means of entertainment until it has strayed far from manhood, uprightness and righteousness. This generation will never be able to restore the occupied lands or remove the disgrace that it lives under. Also, the greatest Islamic issue, the Palestinian issue, will only be solved by a generation that adheres to faith and Jihaad. This is the task of the aware Muslim woman within the Muslim home. The Quran tells us about virtuous women who had a great influence on history like Maryam (Mary), the mother of Moosa (Moses), may Allah exalt his mention, the queen of Sheba and the wife of Pharaoh. We also had many other virtuous women throughout our history like Khadeejah, ‘Aa’ishah and Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with them. The righteousness of the home that receives a newborn guarantees his psychological, mental and physical health and safety. Also, such a home implants the fundamental values that we need in our life, in general, and in our battle, in particular.