Knowledge vis-à-vis Implementation

Beauty within a person or an object is usually described as something which is rare, eye-catching, attractive and alluring to the eyes of the beholder. One such rare attribute within the believers is the beauty of beneficial knowledge intertwined with implementation.

For sure, the implementation of knowledge is one of the most beautiful and intriguing characteristics Muaadhah, the great muhaddithah and teacher had. She wasn’t from those unfortunate women who possessed knowledge, yet never saw the fruits of it within their lives, because such knowledge is then just a burden for the one who acquires it, rather than a means towards the pleasure of Allah (subhaanahu wa ta'ala).

Farhat Hashmi is one of the most influential contemporary Muslim scholars or Ulema particularly in Pakistan, the United Kingdom and the United States. She has had a profound impact on the religiosity and understanding of Islam by women since the 1990s when she started her program of Qur'anic education.

True Love

When we read the life of Mu’aadhah, we come to see the great love she had for her husband. For not only was he a great mujaahid (combatant in the way of Allah [a'zza wa jall]), but he was also a great a’abid (worshipper) and therefore shared and strived for the same goal as her - to worship the Lord of the heavens and the earth.

Indeed, it is a great blessing for a Muslim woman to be blessed with a righteous and Allah-fearing husband with whom she can work to improve herself, both knowledge-wise and eemaan (faith)-wise.

A Teacher Unlike Any Other

In the life of a student of knowledge, the presence of a teacher plays a weighty and momentous role. It is under the shade of one’s teacher that not only does the individual gain knowledge but a refinement of mannerism and thought. This is why, before mentioning the biography of someone great, there is no harm in first mentioning the teacher. In fact, this is a source of respect for the one to be spoken about especially if the teacher holds great respect and awe within the hearts of the masses...such as our beloved mother Aa’ishah [radhiallahu `anha].

Seldom has history seen the likes of a female scholar with the calibre of our mother Aa’ishah [radhiallahu `anha].

Shaykhah Umm ‘Abdillaah ‘Aa’ishah Bint Muqbil Ibn Haadi, Al-Wadi’eeyah:

She is the daughter of Shaykh Muqbil, a late Yemeni scholar. She is one who loves the Sunnah [Prophetic Guidance] and calls to Allaah upon knowledge and understanding, and is a strong researcher who hates blind following and strives on understanding the proof and acting upon it. Her students love her and she loves them with a strong love, and Allaah benefited her students by her, and made some of them callers to Allaah as well.

She teaches ‘As-Sunnah’ by Ibn Abee ‘Aasim, and ‘Qatarun-Nadaa’ and she has previously taught ‘Al-Qawlul-Mufeed’ by the esteemed Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhaab Al-Wasaabee, and ‘Fath Al-Majeed Sharh Kitaabit-Tawheed’ and other books as well.

In truth all praise is due to Allah alone and may the choicest peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Beloved Prophet Muhammad [sallallahu a’lyhi wa sallam] - whose words men, as well as women, were and are ever ready to study and teach. Ameen

Around the world thousands flock yearly to the holy city of Makkah. The rich history behind this city illuminates a yearning within the hearts of the believers, inflaming a desire within them to visit its Haram [Holy Sanctuary] time after time again. Truly a blessed city, it has been -and still is- ripe in imparting knowledge for those who wish to learn. Yet, how many have heard of the famous Meccan female hadeeth scholar: Kareemah bint Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Hatim al Marwaziyyah?

To recite the Qur’aan with tajweed is in fact an implementation of Allah’s command. Allah (a'zza wa jall) says, “And recite the Qur'ân (aloud) in a slow, (pleasant tone and) style.” [Qur’aan [73]:4]

Women today, as in the past, have not lagged behind in serving this science. Around the world we see women ardently working to teach themselves, their children and their community how to correctly pronounce and recite the words of their Creator. Some have done so by teaching in masaajid and schools, others by writing and setting up websites.

One such sister is Kareema Carol Czerepinski, an author of one of the most famous books on tajweed in the English language.

After Umm Al-Sa'ad completed her memorization of the Qur'aan at the age of 15 she went to the Shaykhah Nafeesah bint Abu Al-Alaa, who was known as "The Shaykhah [woman scholar] of her time" to request from her to learn the 10 Qira'aat (recitations). Nafeesa agreed on an peculiar condition; that Umm Al-Sa'ad never marry. She used to refuse to teach girls because they would marry, become busy, and neglect the Quran.

Islaamic history is rich in its account of the many writers that were fortunate to live within its midst. In fact, the books of great scholars and historians live on centuries later imparting great benefit for the believers. We ask Allah [azza wa jall] that the Muslim scholars and writers continue to gain the reward for the seeds they sowed, the benefit of which continues to be reaped by the Muslims after them. Ameen.

From amongst these blessed names we find the names of many Muslim Women who also participated in striving to spread the words of Allah [azza wa jall] and His Rasool [sallallahu a’lyhi wa sallam].