IdealMuslimah.Com

The gates of knowledge are open to the Muslim woman, and she may enter whichever of them she chooses, so long as this does not go against her feminine nature, but develops her mind and enhances her emotional growth and maturity. We find that history is full of prominent examples of remarkable women who sought knowledge and became highly proficient.

Foremost among them is the Mother of the Believers `A'ishah (May Allah be pleased with her), who was the primary source of hadith and knowledge of the sunnah, and was the first faqihah in Islam when she was still a young woman no more than nine years of age.

Islam gives importance to the acquisition of knowledge

Islâm stands as the most rational and precise religion that Allâh [az] has given to the whole mankind.  It gives importance to the acquisition of knowledge.  In fact, the first revelation that Allâh [az] has revealed to His Messenger [saws] for the guidance of mankind pertains to reading.  Allâh, the Most High, commands: “Read! In the name of your Rabb (Only God and Sustainer) Cherisher, Who created — created man, out of a leech-like clot: Read! And your Rabb is Most Bountiful. He Who taught (the use of) the Pen, taught man that which he knew not.” (Qur’ân 96:1-4)

When we follow the divine commandment to read,  we learn in the Qur’ân  that  aside from reading Allâh  commands us:  to know (e.g., 2:194, 196, 203, 223, 235, 14:52) to learn (e.g., 6: 151,  9:122, 12:2,  22:46 also 54,  40:58 and 68:37), to understand (e.g., 2:44,  6:32,  7:169,  10:16,  11:51,  12:109,  21:10,  40:67,  43:3,  47:24, 57:17), to ponder (4: 82 and 23:68) or contemplate (38:29), and even to ask questions (i.e., 10:94 and  43:45).

It is human nature to be forgetful, as the Arab poet said:

“He is only called man (insaan) because of his forgetfulness (nasiyaan),

and it is only called the heart (al-qalb) because it changes so rapidly (yataqallib).”

In the past they said that the first one to forget (awwal naasin) was the first man (awwal al-naas), meaning Adam, peace be upon him. Forgetfulness is something that varies from person to person according to each individual’s nature; some may be more forgetful than others. Some of the things that may help to combat forgetfulness are the following:

Her name was mentioned with respect and admiration all over the Arabian Peninsula. She had memorised over 2,000 hadith and was an expert in Islamic law, ibaadat (rituals), the Quran and the ways of the Prophet (saw). Her knowledge was sought by those years younger and decades older than her, thus she enriched a generation with her advice and guidance. Known for her eloquence, as well as her wisdom, she inspired thousands of men in battle through her poetry and pearls of wisdom. Her name was A’isha bint Abu Bakr (ra), the first female scholar of Islam at age 18.

This should be our goal in life, "I want to go to Jannah ( Paradise )." It should be written in bold letters on our foreheads so that it serves a constant reminder for us. The Prophet (saw) has left with us a very small key to Jannah, which we muslims today have become oblivious of. Just like you need a key to open your car's door, or house door, or office door; similarly you need a key to open Jannah to you. What is this key?

Prophet (saw) said,"Whoever goes down a path/road searching for knowledge, Allah will make it easy for him the road to Paradise." [Saheeh Muslim, Vol.3 Hadith No. 99]

Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, says in the Noble Qur'aan: "Allaah bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped but He, and the angels, and those having knowledge (Oolul-'llm) (also bear witness to this; (He is always) maintaining His creation in justice. None has the right to be worshipped but He. the All-Mighty. the All-Wise." (Soorah Aal-'Imraan (3):18)

This verse shows the superiority of knowledge ('ilm) and its people; the following points can be inferred from this verse:

1. Allaah chose the people of knowledge (Oolul 'ilm) to bear witness to His Oneness (Tawheed) over and above the rest of His creation.

2. Allaah honoured the people of knowledge by mentioning their testimony along with His testimony.

3. He raised high the status of the scholars by associating their testimony with the testimony of the angels.