As a result of understanding Islam’s true
teachings, the members of
the Jama’at [the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community],
with the Grace of Allah, appreciate the very
high status of women according to Islam, and
it is a status that most non-Ahmadi Muslims,
and the wider non-Muslim population, are not
aware of and do not comprehend. Today, your
Ijtema [annual conference where members gather
from all across the country], which is purely
for Ahmadi women and girls, is concluding
and during the event, many activities and
events have taken place in order to increase
the religious knowledge, morality and spirituality
of the participants. Furthermore, from an
administrative perspective, this Ijtema has
been organised and run by women from start
to end, and they will have made a programme
that is attuned to the needs and preferences
of our ladies and girls. Hence, this Ijtema
is a collective and practical demonstration
of the great status bestowed upon women by
Islam.
One allegation often levelled against our
religion is that it discriminates against
women or considers them to be less than men.
However, this is in complete contrast to Islam’s
true teachings. In chapter 4, verse 2 of the
Holy Qur’an, the creation of the human race
is mentioned and it states that Allah created
humankind from a “single soul”. Immediately
after this, the Holy Qur’an states خَلَقَ
مِنۡہَا زَوۡجَہَا which means
“created therefrom its mate”. In the Bible,
where the creation of man and woman is discussed,
the concept of a “mate” is also mentioned,
however it goes on to say that a woman was
created from the rib of Adam(as). This is
contrary to the teachings of the Holy Qur’an,
which clarifies that women were not created
out of the body of a man or from his rib.
Rather, the Qur’an testifies to the fact
that men and women were created from a single
soul and are of the same kind and species.
Thus, where the Qur’an says “created therefrom
its mate” it signifies that Allah Ta’alah
[God the Exalted] has made men and women in
the same way and it cannot be said that one
is dominant over the other.
Furthermore, when Allah the Almighty has said
خَلَقَ مِنۡہَا زَوۡجَہَا
that He has created a woman in the same way
that he created man, it becomes clear that
Allah has made the hearts and minds of women
in the same way that He has created the hearts
and minds of men. There is no mention of a
woman being created from a man’s rib, rather
similarities and likeness are mentioned. Despite
this, throughout history, there have been
occasions where men have sought to prevent
women from fulfilling their potential and
responsibilities, whilst at other times, women
have sought to stop men from fulfilling their
duties and responsibilities. Whether due to
a superiority complex or an inferiority complex,
at times, men have considered themselves to
be intrinsically different to women or women
have considered themselves inherently different
to men. However, the Holy Qur’an has categorically
refuted this concept by saying that men and
women are of the same kind. It has clarified
that men and women have the same feelings
and emotions, similarly as each man will be
accountable before Allah for his deeds, so
will each woman also be held accountable for
her acts before God.
Nevertheless, it is true that Islam has given
differing responsibilities and prescribed
a division of labour between the sexes. Both
men and women have been given differing roles,
however, this should not be misunderstood
to mean that women are incapable of understanding
the responsibilities placed upon men. This
idea of differing responsibilities is entirely
normal and according to nature. Even amongst
men, there are differences that exist, whereby
people have differing skill-sets and abilities.
For instance, some men are trained as doctors,
others become engineers, teachers, scientists
or a range of other professions and jobs.
Yet, no matter how skilled a doctor is, he
is not superior to the other professions and
in other fields as well and vice versa.
In the same way, to maintain a sense of balance
within the world, Allah the Almighty, out
of His infinite wisdom, has given different
roles to men and women and they will both
be held accountable before Allah with regards
to the fulfilment of their respective responsibilities.
Indeed, the Holy Prophet Muhammad(sa)said
that just as it is the duty of a shepherd
to protect his sheep, similarly it is the
duty of every man and woman to fulfil their
prescribed duties. Thus, if Allah Ta’alah
has placed upon a woman the responsibility
to ensure the moral and religious training
of her children and to ensure that she protects
the home and property of her husband, she
must pay heed, because she alone will be held
accountable for these matters. Similarly,
if a man has been tasked with providing financially
for his family, to care for them and fulfil
their needs, he will be held accountable for
this.
The fact that Islam has allocated different
duties to men and women does not mean that
women do not have the ability to do the work
of men or are inferior in any way. As I said
at the beginning, this Ijtema is being organised
by Lajna [members of Lajna Imaillah, an auxiliary
organisation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
comprising women over the age of 15] members
and is a great example of the excellent capabilities
and organisational skills of our Ahmadi women.
In fact, this Ijtema is actually a product
and manifestation of the continued work and
progress of Lajna Imaillah. Thus, any man
who thinks that women should not take an active
part in religious affairs, or make sacrifices
for their faith, and should stay away from
religion and just remain a “decoration”
for their husbands to enjoy, is guilty of
extreme ignorance. Similarly, if any woman
thinks that due to her domestic responsibilities
she does not need to partake in religious
matters, or make sacrifices for her faith
and nation, she too is mistaken and is guilty
of undermining the status of women.
It was for the very sake of making our Ahmadi
women understand their responsibilities, and
to remove any doubt about the need for women
to be involved in religious matters and other
activities, that Hazrat Musleh Mau’ud(ra)
[Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-din Mahmud Ahmad,
the second successor and worldwide head of
the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community from 1914-1965]
established Lajna Imaillah so that every Ahmadi
lady could become an active member of the
Jama’at. Very beautifully, Hazrat Musleh
Mau’ud(ra)said that for a man the best name
is “Abdullah”, and in the same way the
best name for a woman is “Amtullah” – because
any man should desire, above all, to be a
man of God and His servant, whilst any woman
should desire to be a woman of God and His
servant. Indeed, in the Holy Qur’an, of
all the qualities of the Holy Prophet(sa)
one mentioned by Allah the Almighty is of
his being “Abdullah” – a true man of
God and His servant. Therefore, to be a sincere
servant of Allah, should be the greatest desire
for any Muslim lady and this is the reason
your auxiliary organisation has been named
Lajna Imaillah.
Accordingly, every Ahmadi woman should sincerely
strive to be a servant of God so that they
may become an heir to His rewards, rather
than inheritors of His Wrath and Anger. In
worldly terms, a person who has fulfilled
his duties in the best way is presented before
the monarch in order to receive an honour
or reward, whilst a criminal is presented
before the authorities for sanction and punishment.
Whilst covetous glances are cast in the direction
of the person who receives honours, criminals
are looked upon with disgust and pity. Thus,
every lady should seek to ensure that she
understands her duties and strives to be amongst
those who attain the rewards of Allah the
Almighty.
In terms of your duties to the Jama’at and
faith, you should remember that in the eyes
of Allah, the responsibilities and duties
placed upon men and women are the same and
both must be ready to fulfil their pledges
and make sacrifices for the sake of Islam.
Speaking about the great sacrifices made by
women in bygone eras, Hazrat Musleh Mau’ud(ra)
gave the example of the time of the Prophet
Jesus(as). He said that amongst the most sincere
and loyal disciples of Jesus(as) were women,
who would tirelessly spend their days and
nights spreading his message and their sacrifices
have been recorded in Christian history as
a source of pride.
Indeed, when Jesus(as) was taken down from
the cross and emerged from the coffin in which
he was subsequently placed, it was women who
were the first to greet and help him. Whilst
his male disciples had run away in fear of
the rulers, it is recorded that Mary Magdalene
and two other women disregarded any fears
for their own safety and reached Jesus(as)
in the very early hours of the morning. In
this way, they displayed immense bravery and
exhibited a firm faith that exceeded the standards
of the men.
This was the example of the time of Jesus(as)
but of all the prophets, without doubt, it
is the life of the Holy Prophet(sa) that has
been documented and preserved in greatest
detail and unquestionably during his blessed
era the sacrifices made by the Muslim women
reached a pinnacle and were of standards that
have never been witnessed at any other juncture
of history. Indeed, when you read about the
sacrifices made for the sake of their faith,
you can only be overcome with emotion. During
that early period of Islam, the Holy Prophet(sa)
and his followers were subjected to ferocious
levels of persecution and unspeakable cruelties
were inflicted upon them. Whilst all the early
Muslims had to face persecution, nonetheless,
the treatment of Muslim slaves was even more
inhumane and brutal.
For example, amongst the companions, were
a husband and wife, both of whom were slaves
of a non-Muslim and their owner inflicted
such merciless and terrifying cruelties upon
them that merely reading about their treatment
leaves a person shaken to the core. They would
be forced to lie on scorching hot sands and
beaten relentlessly on their chests and bodies.
They would be left to burn to the point that
their eyes would become completely red and
swollen beyond all limits, yet their master
showed no remorse or mercy. On one occasion,
upon seeing how they were being tortured and
made to lie upon the burning sands, the Holy
Prophet(sa) became overwhelmed with emotion.
He was grief-stricken like a father witnessing
his children being beaten before his very
eyes. He observed how the slave-master sought
to compel them to reject the Holy Prophet(sa)
and to accept his belief that there were many
other gods apart from Allah the Almighty.
Overcome with sorrow, the Holy Prophet(sa)
turned towards Allah and remained engaged
in prayer for some time. Thereafter, with
great emotion, the Holy Prophet(sa) addressed
the Muslim husband and wife and said: Be patient!
Be patient! Surely, Allah will remove you
from these pains very soon and in return,
He has made a home for you in Paradise.
As a result of the continued torture, it was
not long before the husband breathed his last.
Thereafter, the owner brutally attacked the
Muslim lady by piercing her stomach with a
spear and so she also joined the ranks of
the martyrs. These slaves were not of any
worldly rank or status, yet due to their acceptance
of the Holy Prophet(sa) and their impeccable
standards of faith they scaled the highest
spiritual mountains and have been recorded
in history forevermore. They were the people
who gave every possible sacrifice and bore
every form of torture for the sake of their
belief in the One God. The persecution of
the Muslims in Makkah continued unabated and
finally, when it went beyond all limits, as
the enemies of Islam continued to increase
their evil plots, the Holy Prophet(sa) instructed
his companions to migrate to Ethiopia.
Upon this, the companions protested and asked
how could it be that they migrate to live
in peace, whilst their beloved spiritual master,
the Holy Prophet(sa), remained in danger and
continued to face the most horrific cruelties.
In response, the Holy Prophet(sa) said that
Allah had not yet commanded him to migrate
and if that day came he would as well, but
for the time being his followers should go
without him. Amongst those who decided to
migrate was a Muslim lady, who in the early
hours of one morning, collected her belongings
and placed them on a camel ready to depart.
By chance, Hazrat Umar(ra), who had not yet
accepted Islam, walked by and after observing
this lady being forced out of her hometown
in the early hours, he felt a sense of sorrow
and guilt. Addressing the lady with his voice
trembling with emotion, Hazrat Umar(ra) said,
it seems you are getting ready for a journey?
In response, the Muslim lady said: We can
no longer tolerate the cruelties and pain
inflicted upon us and so we have been left
with no choice but to leave. In the end, what
did we do to you that meant you treated us
so inhumanely and punished us with such cruelty?
All we say is that Allah is One but you cannot
tolerate it and so now we have to leave.
This desperate and emotional response of the
Muslim lady caused Hazrat Umar(ra), who was
still a formidable opponent of Islam and a
person who had shown no mercy in his opposition
to Muslims, to be overcome with emotion. As
tears rolled down his cheeks, he could only
bring himself to meekly say, goodbye and all
the best before turning away.
Similarly, there is a famous incident pertaining
to the sister of Hazrat Umar(ra). On one occasion,
when he remained a raging opponent of Islam,
Hazrat Umar(ra) set out with a sword in his
hand, with the intention of killing the Holy
Prophet(sa) and bringing an end to Islam once
and for all. On the way, a man asked him where
he was going, and when he told him his purpose,
the man said that he should first enquire
after his own family, as one of his sisters
had accepted Islam. Thus, Hazrat Umar(ra)
went straight to the home of his sister and
knocked forcefully at the door. His sister
and her husband were reciting the Qur’an
and upon realising that Hazrat Umar(ra) had
come, they hid their Muslim teacher, as well
as the pages of the Qur’an. However, Hazrat
Umar(ra) had heard them, and so upon entering,
he immediately asked what they had been reciting.
His sister replied: We were reciting the Holy
Qur’an.
Hazrat Umar(ra) said that he heard that she
and her husband had become “Saabi” meaning
that they had accepted a belief that was not
accepted by the people of Makkah. In a fit
of rage, Hazrat Umar(ra) lunged forward in
an attempt to strike his brother-in-law, but
with great defiance and courage, his sister
stepped forward to shield her husband and
said, Yes, we are Muslims and if you want
to kill us then go ahead!Hazrat Umar(ra) was
unable to withdraw his hand in time and so
he struck his sister accidentally or unintentionally
in the face with such heavy force that she
was wounded and blood gushed forth from her
nose. Upon witnessing how his sister had sacrificed
herself to protect her husband, Hazrat Umar(ra)
was left astonished.
Despite his hatred for Islam, Hazrat Umar(ra)
was good at heart, and so after seeing the
blood on his sister’s face, he felt shame
and regret, for he knew that rather than protect
his sister, as was his duty, he had been a
means of grievously injuring her. Feeling
restless and wracked with guilt, his aggressive
tone suddenly changed, and he timidly asked
his sister if she would bring the pages of
the Qur’an for him to read. Upon this, the
supreme faith of his sister roared into action,
and having already been beaten by her brother,
she no longer remained a defenceless woman
but was transformed into a courageous lioness.
Without any fear, she declared, you cannot
touch the Qur’an as you are not pure or
clean. I cannot place the Qur’an anywhere
near you whilst you are in this state. Having
realised what he had done, Hazrat Umar(ra)
felt ashamed, and so softly asked his sister
how he could purify himself so that she would
permit him to read the Qur’an. In reply,
his sister said that he must first go and
bathe and clean himself and only then would
she permit him to touch the Holy Qur’an.
As instructed, Hazrat Umar(ra) went and bathed
before returning and then his sister placed
the Qur’an before him. After reading just
a few verses, Hazrat Umar’s(ra) heart melted
at the beauty of what he was reading and tears
flowed from his eyes. Instantly, he felt abhorrence
and shame for his past disbelief of Islam.
Instantly, he viewed his past life with nothing
but disdain and disgust.
Thereupon, he stood up in an emotional state
and asked where the Holy Prophet Muhammad(sa)
lived. Hearing this, his sister felt a surge
of love for her brother and prayed sincerely
that he would accept Islam, but at the same
time she knew that she could never forgive
herself if her brother was the cause of any
harm to the Holy Prophet(sa). Thus, she grabbed
hold of the collar of Hazrat Umar(ra) and
with great emotion, that only could be stirred
by true faith and love for the Holy Prophet(sa)
she said, first, swear that you will not approach
Muhammad(sa) with any ill intention. With
true humility, Hazrat Umar(ra) replied, my
only intention is to become a Muslim. Upon
this, his sister rejoiced and informed her
brother where the Holy Prophet(sa) was. Hazrat
Umar(ra) duly approached the Holy Prophet(sa)
and accepted Islam in a state of total submission.
Hence, this was the great sacrifice made by
a woman, who melted the heart of her brother,
and as a result, the Muslims celebrated and
raised slogans in praise of Allah, “Allaho
Akbar” [God is Great].
Another astonishing example of faith pertains
to the Battle of Uhud. During that war, the
blessed teeth of the Holy Prophet(sa) were
broken and word spread that he had been martyred.
When this news reached Madinah, Muslim women
came out of their homes and ran towards the
battlefield to find out the truth about their
master. On the way, an elderly Muslim woman
frantically asked a companion if the Holy
Prophet(sa) was alive. In response, the companion
said, I regret to tell you that your husband
has been killed in the battle. Upon this the
lady said, I am not asking about my husband,
I am asking about the Holy Prophet(sa). The
companion then said, I regret to tell you
that your brother has also been killed.Hearing
this, the lady said, I am not asking about
my brother, I ask only about the Holy Prophet(sa).
The companion then said, I am sorry but your
son has also been killed. Upon this, the lady
desperately remarked, I do not ask about my
son, I am asking if the Holy Prophet(sa) is
alive.
Finally, the companion informed [her] that
the rumours regarding the Holy Prophet(sa)
had been false and he was alive. In a state
of utter relief, the lady said, I do not feel
any loss or pain or grief over whoever in
my family has died because my beloved master,
the Holy Prophet(sa) remains alive. This was
the pure love and devotion professed by the
Muslim women of that time towards the Holy
Prophet(sa). These were the women who were
ready for every sacrifice for the sake of
Islam and their names have been recorded in
history as examples for the rest of time.
Recently, I was told about an Ahmadi lady
living in another country, who said that when
she comes to Lajna meetings and takes the
pledge, she repeats the words that, “for
the sake of her faith and nation she will
be ready to sacrifice her life, wealth and
time.” However, when it comes to the part
about being ready to sacrifice her “children”
she remains silent because her children are
the one thing she can never sacrifice. This
is an example of a weakness in faith, and
ultimately, such a person will become weaker
in faith and, in reality, will neither be
able to sacrifice their own lives, wealth
or time for the sake of Islam. Remember, when
we pledge in our Bai’at [pledge to join
the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and live by
its tenets] to give precedence to our religion
and faith over all worldly matters it means
that our love for Allah, for the Holy Prophet
of Islam(sa) and for our religion should be
greater than for anything or anyone else.
Further, in this era, the Promised Messiah(as)
said that, after developing a true love for
Allah and for the Holy Prophet(sa), his followers
must also form a bond of love with him. Thus,
if we wish to remain part of the Jama’at
of the Promised Messiah(as), we must manifest
our love for him by fulfilling the conditions
of our Bai’at and remaining obedient to
his teachings. The Promised Messiah(as) said,
in my Jama’at, I wish to see a spiritual
transformation which distinguishes Ahmadis
from all others. If we are just the same as
other Muslims then what is the benefit of
doing Bai’at? If we are weak and lazy in
our prayers like other Muslims then what is
the benefit? If we are weak and lazy in reading
the Qur’an and do not follow its teachings
then what is the benefit?
Thus, if according to the teachings of the
Holy Qur’an, you are not modest in your
clothing and do not uphold the requirements
of purdah what is the benefit of your Bai’at?
If you do not fulfil your responsibilities
within your homes, what is the benefit of
your Bai’at? And if you do not practically
manifest the teachings of Islam and do not
seek to spread it, what is the benefit of
being an Ahmadi? Thus, every Ahmadi lady should
deeply reflect upon their pledge to give precedence
to their faith over all material desires.
Every one of you should constantly analyse
and think about whether you have the same
spirit and devotion for serving your religion
that the female companions of the Holy Prophet(sa)
had? Ask yourselves if you have the same true
and sincere love for Allah the Almighty and
His noble Messenger(sa) as the companions
did. Reflect upon whether you have acquired
the religious knowledge and insight needed
to fulfil your duties. Consider if you are
a true role model for your children and if
you are bringing them up in the same righteous
way that the companions raised their children.
If the answer to these questions is “no”
you should be very worried and concerned and
it is also a cause of deep concern for the
entire Jama’at. Let it be clear that you
– our Ahmadi women and girls – are not
living lives without purpose; rather, you
all have extremely great objectives, which
I hope and pray you understand and strive
to fulfil.
In this era, one of the foremost objectives
for our Lajna members is Tabligh [preaching
and propagation] and to fulfil this responsibility
you must first spiritually reform yourself.
You must personally set the best example,
and fulfil your duty to morally train and
educate your children, and you must be their
guide and attach them to the Jama’at from
a young age. Only then can you fulfil your
responsibilities in the field of Tabligh.
In this era, there is an urgent need for our
women to portray Islam’s true teachings
and to spread them far and wide. Without any
fear or complex, you must propagate Islam
by practicing its teachings. If anyone claims
that Islam does not give women freedom or
that they are oppressed by men, it is your
duty to show the world that Islam has given
you true freedom, true liberty and true enlightenment!
It is your duty to show the world that whatever
restrictions exist are not forced upon you
by men, but rather are willingly and freely
adopted, having observed the magnificent teachings
of Islam. If you do not wish to mingle freely
with men or to sit alongside them it is your
own choice, made of your own volition, in
order to preserve your honour and dignity.
If you do not choose to shake the hands of
men, it is because your heart demands that
you follow Islam’s teachings, which provide
true dignity for women. Such conduct is not
based on the demands of men but is the result
of your freedom to make your own decisions
and is a symbol of true independence.
Remember, following the crowd and bowing to
the influences of society is not freedom;
rather, true freedom is having the strength
to follow your beliefs and to act upon your
convictions. Until the voice of your hearts
does not emit pure love for Allah the Almighty
and His Messenger(sa), in the way of Hazrat
Umar’s(ra) sister, or the elderly lady whose
husband, brother and son were martyred, we
cannot influence the wider world and we cannot
bring about that spiritual revolution that
is destined to occur.
As I said, in this era, our women must propagate
Islam and especially when it comes to women’s
issues, it is much more effective for women
to respond than for any man to do so on their
behalf. Every woman should pay careful attention
to this and seek to gain knowledge of their
faith so that they can refute the allegations
directed at Islam and be ready for every sacrifice
for the sake of their religion.
Thus, I ask all of you to understand and assume
your responsibilities and to fulfil your pledge
to morally train the next generation in the
best way and to bring your children close
to the Jama’at. I ask all of you to be ready
to propagate Islam’s teachings through Tabligh,
within your own circles and especially to
women.
If you understand your responsibilities, I
am sure that you will prove to be successful
mothers, and successful Ahmadi Muslim women
who are ready for every sacrifice for the
sake of giving precedence to their faith over
all worldly matters.
If you understand your duties, I am sure you
will be successful in spreading the message
of Islam Ahmadiyyat far and wide.
Only then will you have fulfilled the requirements
and obligations of your Bai’at.
May Allah enable you all to do so.
May Allah continue to bless Lajna Imaillah
UK and indeed our Lajna organisations throughout
the world – Ameen. Now join me in silent
prayer – Dua.
