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Sisterhood is something that is absolutely necessary for the well-being of Muslim women, particularly here in the West where large extended families may not exist. SISTERHOOD IN ISLAM
– ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
“Surely the believers are but
brothers. So set things right between your two brothers, and be aware
of Allah – perhaps you will obtain mercy” Surah Hujurat (Q49:10).
Sisterhood among Muslim women cannot
be more emphasised than in the present times when there is such an
onslaught against Islam in general as well as Muslims in particular.
Preserving the ties of sisterhood in the Muslim ummah at this point
in time is necessary and in a sense vital not only for the
strengthening of the community but for its very survival.
When carried out in its true essence
i.e. in the way and manner in which it was described by and practiced
by the prophet Muhammad (SAW), it would lead to increase in iman and
our sense of identity leading to a genuine sense of belonging.
Islam came as a mercy to the world
and as a means of universally binding people of iman through
spiritual unification by means of peace and mutual co-operation.
Islam is a complete way of life that satisfies every basic human need
and requirement, shaping social norms, values and providing correct
guidance for social, moral attitude and conduct.
Some Muslim sisters are better
influences on us than blood-related sisters. This is due to the fact
that they encourage us to strive more in our religious obligations
and the hereafter. Also they advise us according to the Quran and
authentic Sunnah avoiding all forms of misguidance and innovations
(bid’ah). As the prophet (SAW) said in a hadith:-
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the prophet (SAW)
said - A man is on the religion of his friend so let every man look
carefully at whom he chooses for friends. (At-Tirmidhi & Abu
Dawud)
RIGHTS OF
A MUSLIM SISTER
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW)
said – A Muslim has six rights over another Muslim: when you meet
him, offer him greetings i.e. the salaam; when he invites you [to a
wedding feast] accept it; when he seeks counsel give him; and when he
sneezes and says Alhamdulillah (praise be to Allah), you say
yarhamuka’allah (may Allah show mercy to you) and when he is ill
visit him; and when he dies follow his bier (Muslim).
As Muslim women there are certain rights, which we
owe our fellow Muslim sister, and which we have been commanded to
fulfil. These are discussed below:-
Meeting and Greeting Sisters – It is obligatory
as Muslims for us to spread the greetings of salaam to one another
wherever and whenever we meet. This spreads love and compassion
between us. It’s also part of good manners and social etiquette;
salaams should be initiated before talking or striking up a
conversation. The Muslim who greets first with the salaam is the one
best in conduct. It is also recommended that we meet our Muslim
sister with a cheerful countenance as this has a good effect on her.
Attending or responding to an invitation – A
Muslim sister should always accept an invitation of another sister
especially if it is an invitation to a wedding feast. Every effort
should be made to attend to it and if unable to the sister should
inform the host as a matter of courtesy.
Visiting
– It is good courtesy to inform a sister before hand that you wish
to visit. If however an impromptu visit is unavoidable once we visit
and knock on the door three times with no response, then we should
leave as it either may not be a convenient time or the sister is not
at home. On no occasion should one enter the house without permission
or peep in to the house.
Whenever we hear that a sister is ill we should
visit her and offer her spiritual comfort and support and remind her
of Allah’s (SWT) closeness during this time. Visiting the sick also
earns one rewards as Abu Huraira (RA) reported that the prophet (SAW)
reported that whenever a Muslim visits his sick brother seeking the
pleasure of Allah, an announcer calls out: May you be happy, may your
walking be blessed, and may you be awarded a dignified position in
the Garden (Tirmidhi)
Generosity
– We should as sisters strive to show utmost kindness and
generosity towards others. There is so much reward in giving people
the best of what we have, especially if it is something we cherish or
appreciate most. It is also a good thing for sisters to exchange
gifts among themselves as this removes all forms of ill will from the
heart. This should be done not to seek to impress or for any personal
or selfish gain it should be purely to seek Allah’s pleasure.
Private
Conversations - It is advisable to refrain from holding
private conversations when in the company of other sisters as this
would exclude them and cause hurt or loneliness. The prophet (SAW)
also advised against this.
Striving to assist one another in all situations
like helping a Muslim woman whom we know is in difficulty either
emotionally or financially would bring us not only Allah’s reward
but nearness to Him both in this life and in the hereafter. As
sisters in Islam we should be concerned about the welfare of our
fellow Muslim sisters and strive to ask after one another. Things
that we can do to assist sisters include help with their shopping by
offering to do this on their behalf, assisting with looking after
their children (when they are busy) and helping with household
chores.
As Muslims there are certain things, which we have
been commanded to avoid so as to improve our communications with one
another and increase in piety. Among these are the avoidance of
Backbiting, swearing and lying. For Allah (SWT) says in the Holy
Quran
“It is the muminun who are successful: those who
are humble in salaat; those who turn away from worthless talk (Surat
Muminun Q23:3)”. Backbiting is one of many sinful acts that weakens
our iman and hardens our hearts; we should refrain from it as well as
keep away from sisters who spread lies and mischief with their idle
gossip.
As Muslim women we must strive to hold good
opinions of each other at all times and avoid most of suspicions for
as Allah says in the Quran:
“O you who have iman! Avoid most suspicion.
Indeed some suspicion is a crime. And do not spy and do not backbite
one another. Would any like to eat his brother’s dead flesh? No,
you would hate it (Surat Hujurat Q49: 12)”.
If we see something in a fellow sister that is not
to our liking we should tactfully bring this to her attention and not
broadcast her misdemeanour to the community. This gives her the
opportunity to turn to Allah from her wrong doings and correct
herself in future. Part of iman is to conceal the faults, which we
have found in our sister; according to Abu Huraira the Prophet (SAW)
said that to harbour good thoughts is part of a well-conducted
worship (Abu Dawud).
Envy is one emotion, which originates from shaitan
and how many a relationship in families, friendships and among
colleagues has been destroyed by this emotion. It not only weakens
iman and hardens the heart it also consumes and destroys the good
deeds of even the best of muminun. Muslims, who harbour ill feeling
and jealousy towards other Muslims, build a closer relationship with
shaitan rather than Allah (SWT) and would find their good deeds
diminished by bad deeds on the day of judgement. Abu Huraira (RA)
reported that the prophet (SAW) said – Beware of envy because it
consumes the virtues just as fire consumes wood (Abu Dawud). As
sisters we should always look at fellow sisters who are less
fortunate than our selves in order to better appreciate Allah’s
favours on us.
At the same token quarrelling, cursing, abusing
and cutting off ties with other sisters is discouraged in Islam.
Whenever two sisters are quarrelling it is our obligation to ensure
that both are reconciled and normalcy in their relations is restored
as quickly as possible. We should not be the ones fanning the flames
of discord among them by exaggerating and inventing tales.
CONCLUSION
As Muslim women we should be in the forefront in
the race to attain good deeds and what better way to achieve this
than to be in the company and service of our fellow Muslim sisters
who may be less fortunate than us. For if we remove the distress of a
fellow sister in this life; Allah (SWT) would remove our distress on
the day of judgement. May Almighty Allah make it easy for us all to
increase ourselves in iman and in taqwa. And may He assist us in
being woman of exemplary character. |
