Sayyidatuna Bibi Aaminah Mother of Our Glorious Rasool

How privileged lady is the virtuous Sayyidatuna Bibi Aaminah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا since she has the honour of being the illustrious mother of our Glorious Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Her father’s name was Wahb Bin ‘Abdul Manaaf and mother’s name Barrah. (Dalaail-un-Nubuwwah, vol. 1, pp. 183)

Admirable traits

Sayyidatuna Bibi Aaminah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا was incredibly pious and abstinent, a lady of remarkable self-purity, integrity, decency, honour and faith, surpassing all other Qurayshi women in paternal/maternal lineage and virtues. (Dalaail-un-Nubuwwah, vol. 1, pp. 102, paraphrased)

Marriage story

When her father Wahb Bin Manaaf witnessed Sayyiduna Abdullah’s رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ merits, he developed tremendous love and admiration for him, subsequently returning home determined to marry the apple of his eyes, Sayyidatuna Aaminah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا to him and him only.

Consequently, he disclosed this secret intention to Sayyiduna ‘Abdul Muttalib رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ through some friends. Sayyidatuna Aaminah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا possessed all the traits that Sayyiduna ‘Abdul Muttalib رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ was searching for in a bride for his dear son Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ, hence he gladly approved. So Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ was married to Sayyidatuna Bibi Aaminah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا when he was 24 years old and the Noor (light) of Sayyiduna Muhammad صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was transferred from Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah to Sayyidatuna Bibi Aaminah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا. (Madarij-un-Nubuwwah, vol. 2, pp. 12-13)

The only blessed child

Muhammad Mustafa, Ahmad Mujtaba صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was the only blessed child of Bibi Aaminah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا. (Tabqat Ibn Sa’d, vol. 1, pp. 79)

Sacred demise

On her return from a routine visit to Sayyiduna Abdullah’s رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ prestigious grave, accompanied by Sayyiduna ‘Abdul Muttalib and Sayyidatuna Umm-e-Ayman, she passed away at a location named “Abwaa”, which was also to be her final resting place. (Ansaab-ul-Ashraaf, vol. 1, pp. 103)

Divine protection for her grave

Once some infidels passed by Abwaa and wished to hurt our Glorious Rasool’s heart by removing Sayyidah Aaminah’s رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا blessed body from her blessed grave, but Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ granted protection to the mother of His Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم by preventing the infidels from executing this evil scheme. (Al-Kamil fit-Tareekh, vol. 1, pp. 361)

Deep love for mother

Once on a visit to his mother’s grave, our Glorious Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم began to weep. When asked the reason, he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم responded: Memories of my mother’s compassion and benevolence made me cry. (As-Seerat-ul-Halbiyyah, vol. 1, pp. 154)

Kul jahan ki ma’ayn haun tum per fida

Tum Muhammad ki bani ma Aaminah

You are the mother of Muhammad, Aaminah

May all the mothers of the world be sacrificed for you, Aaminah

His illustrious parents are believers

Respectable Quranic commentators have proved that there is evidence in the Glorious Quran for the eminent parents رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُمَا of our Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم being believers. Here is that holy Ayah:

وَ تَقَلُّبَكَ فِی السّٰجِدِیْنَ(۲۱۹)

Translation from Kanz-ul-Iman: And your transferal inside prostrators.

(Part 19, Surah Ash-Shu’ara, Ayah 219)

‘Allamah Aaloosi رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه remarks: This blessed Ayah proves that the parents رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُمَا of our Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم are Muslims. (Ruh-ul-Ma’ani, vol. 19, pp. 184)

May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ have mercy on them and forgive us for their sake without accountability!

اٰمِیْن بِجَاہِ النَّبِیِّ الْاَمِیْن  صلَّی اللہ تعالٰی علیہ واٰلہٖ وسلَّم

For a woman, what is the limit on adornment?

Question: What do the Islamic scholars say about the following issues:

In order to adorn herself just for her husband, a woman at times gets her hair cut below her shoulders and at times above her shoulders. Is it permissible or impermissible?

To what extent a woman is permitted to use make-up for her husband?

To what extent an unmarried young woman is permitted to adorn herself?

بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ

اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ

1.       Getting the hair cut above the shoulders is impermissible and Haraam [prohibited], as it is having resemblance to men. If husband is pleased with it, then he will be a sinner too. However, there is no harm in cutting the edges below the shoulders.

It is permissible and Mustahab [preferable] act for a woman to adorn herself for her husband, as long as she does so while staying within the limits of Shari’ah and through Halal means. Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has stated: ‘For a woman, to wear jewellery and adorn herself for her husband is a means of great reward, and better for her than Nafl Salah. Some righteous women of the past and their husbands were amongst the blessed Awliya. Every night, after offering Salat-ul-‘Isha, those women would fully adorn themselves and come to their husbands as a bride. If they would find them paying attention, they would remain there. Otherwise, they would remove the jewellery and change [bridal] clothes, lay the prayer mat and get engaged in offering Salah. Moreover, adorning the bride is an old tradition and proven from various Ahadees.’ (Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 22, pp. 126)

An unmarried girl can also apply make-up and other such stuff made from Halal ingredients while staying within the boundaries of Shari’ah. A’la Hadrat رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has stated: ‘In fact, it is also Sunnah to keep the unmarried girls adorned with jewellery and nice clothes, as [in this way] marriage proposals for them are received. In fact, it is Makruh [disliked] for a woman to remain completely jewellery-less despite being capable of wearing it, as it is resemblance to men. Umm-ul-Mu’mineen, Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah Siddiqah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا would consider it to be Makruh for a woman to offer Salah without jewellery. Furthermore, she رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا would say: If [a woman] can’t find anything, then she should at least tie a thread around her neck.’ (Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 22, pp. 128)

It should be remembered that it is not permissible for women to pluck their eyebrows.

وَاللهُ اَعلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَ رَسُولُهٗ اَعلَم صَلَّی اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیهِ واٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم

Answer given by:

Abu Ahmad Muhammad Anas Raza Attari

Answer approved by:

Muhammad Hashim Khan Al-Attari Al-Madani

What if the sisters give up their share?

Question: What do the Islamic scholars say about the following issue: Our father left estate including half house. We are two brothers and four sisters. Our sisters have given up their shares in inheritance. In this case, will our sisters’ shares still exist in the inheritance or not?

(Questioner: Fayaz-ur-Rahman, Zam Zam Nagar, Hyderabad)

بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ

اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ

Right of heirs in the inheritance has been specified by Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. Even if any heir gives up his/her share, it will still exist. However, it is possible that sons [of the deceased] give their sisters some amount of money in exchange for their shares with mutual understanding as Sulah [agreement], and sisters accept it; there is no harm even if that amount (of money) is less or more than the value of their shares in the inheritance. In this way, that amount of money will be an alternate for the sisters’ shares in the inheritance, and they will no longer have shares in the inherited house. Moreover, if the sisters do not want to take anything and want to give the [father’s] estate to their brothers, then they can adopt the following method: ‘After getting their share of house distributed and taking its possession, they can gift it to whichever brother they like. If they want to do so without taking their share into possession, they can sell their share to them at a specific price and then forgive the price at which it was sold’.

وَاللهُ اَعلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَ رَسُولُهٗ اَعلَم صَلَّی اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیهِ واٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم

Answer given by:

Abu Sa’eed Muhammad Naveed Raza Al-Attari

Answer approved by:

Mufti Muhammad Fuzail Raza Al-Attari

The Seerah of the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم in relation to his domestic life is to be followed. Despite fulfilling the heavy responsibilities of propagating religion, his great conduct towards his blessed wives and blessed daughters holds the importance of being the guiding principle for the entire Ummah. The Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated: ‘Best among you is the one who is best for his household; and I am the best for my household among you all.’ (Sunan-ut-Tirmizi, vol. 5, pp. 475, Hadees 3921) Let’s have few glimpses of this aspect of the life of Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم:

Heartening Azwaaj-e-Mutaharraat [blessed wives]

He صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would hearten Azwaaj-e-Mutaharraat رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُنَّ. Once, in order to please Umm-ul-Mu`mineen, Sayyidatuna Khadijah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا, he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم fed her Heavenly grapes through his miraculous grandeur. (Al-Mu’jam-ul-Awsat, vol. 4, pp. 315, Hadees 6098)

He صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would delight Azwaaj-e-Mutaharraat [blessed wives]

According to the situation, he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would also delight [Azwaaj-e-Mutaharraat], as Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah Siddiqah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا has stated: I was with Rasoolullah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم on a journey. We stayed at a place, so Rasoolullah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم sent the blessed Sahabah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم ahead and had a race with me. Since I was thin, I outstripped him. Then, after a short period of time, I was with Rasoolullah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم on another journey. We stayed at a place, so Rasoolullah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم sent the blessed Sahabah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم ahead and had a race with me. At that time, I had gained weight; therefore, Rasoolullah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم outstripped me. Then, while [gently] striking my shoulder with his blessed hand, he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: This is the pay back for that [last race].

(Explanation: Remember that this race was in seclusion. Therefore, this Hadees cannot be taken as a proof for the races of men and women in the current era.)

Likewise, the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would also express happiness upon seeing Ummahat-ul-Mu`mineen delighting each other, and at times, he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم himself would join them as well; as Umm-ul-Mu`mineen Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا has narrated: I prepared Khazeerah (food prepared from meat and flour) for Rasoolullah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and served it to Rasoolullah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Rasoolullah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was seated with Sayyidatuna Sawdah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا and me. I also asked Sayyidatuna Sawdah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا to eat; she refused. I said: ‘Eat it, or else I will rub it on your face.’ She again refused, so I took Khazeerah in my hand and rubbed it on her face. Rasoolullah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم started smiling; he took Khazeerah in his hand and gave it to Sayyidatuna Sawdah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا, and said: ‘Here, you also rub it on her face.’ Rasoolullah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم expressed happiness at that time. (Musnad Abi Ya’la, vol. 4, pp. 88, Hadees 4459)

He صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would teach religious knowledge

The Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would impart religious knowledge to Azwaaj-e-Mutaharrat. In this regard, names of Umm-ul-Mu`mineen Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah Siddiqah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا and Umm-ul-Mu`mineen Sayyidatuna Umm-e-Salamah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا come at the top of the list, who received invaluable pearls of knowledge from the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. In fact, the status of Umm-ul-Mu`mineen Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah Siddiqah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا was such [great] that she would resolve great perplexing scholarly issues with ease. (Sunan-ut-Tirmizi, vol. 5, pp. 471, Hadees 3909)

He صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would take care of the rights of Azwaaj-e-Mutaharraat

Before his apparent demise, the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم became ill and wanted to spend the last days of his apparent life at the house of Umm-ul-Mu`mineen, Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah Siddiqah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا. Instead of clearly announcing his decision, he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم repeated the following question again and again, while keeping in view the rights of wives: ‘At whose house will I be tomorrow?’ The blessed wives came to know the will of Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and humbly said: ‘Wherever you like.’ Therefore, he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم stayed at the house of Umm-ul-Mu`mineen, Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah Siddiqah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا until [his] apparent demise. (Sahih Bukhari, vol. 3, pp. 468, Hadees 5217)

He صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would also consult with Azwaaj-e-Mutaharraat

Similarly, he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would encourage them by seeking their advice. At times, he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم even sought their advice in very critical situations. For example, he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم sought advice of Sayyidatuna Khadijah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا when the first Wahee [Divine revelation] was sent down (Sahih Bukhari, vol. 1, pp. 8, Hadees 3) and the advice of Sayyidatuna Umm-e-Salamah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا at the occasion of Suleh Hudaybiyah [treaty of Hudaybiyah], and accepted their advice. (Sahih Bukhari, vol. 2, pp. 227, Hadees 2732)

Great conduct towards the daughters

Similarly, he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would treat his blessed daughters with extreme kindness and affection. He صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would become happy upon their joy and sad upon their grief. In fact, when his most beloved daughter, Sayyidatuna Fatimah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا would come, he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would stand up out of extreme kindness and affection. (Subul-ul-Huda War-Rishaad, vol. 11, pp. 44)

Through this kind and affectionate conduct, the Ummah not only attains the guidance to create a pleasant environment at home, but undoubtedly, it also highlights the rank and status of woman in Islam.