Islam and Women
Imam Ahmad Raza Khan’s Advice for Women
Umm Milad Attariyyah
25th Safar al-Muzaffar marks the death anniversary of an individual who revived Islam in the 14th century of the Islamic calendar, devoting his entire life to the cause of Sunni Islam. This individual is Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه , the famous jurist of Islam, theologian, and Sufi master.
His approximately 1000 written works in Arabic, Urdu, and Persian include the critically acclaimed translation of the Quran, Kanz al-Īmān, his collection of celebrated poems in praise of the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم , Ḥadāʾiq-i-Bakhshish, and his edicts spanning 30 volumes, Fatāwa Razawiyya.
Living in a time of religious and political turmoil for Muslims across the globe, he readily advised the believers in all areas of life. Today, we share his key advices for our believing sisters, hoping that his words will serve as moral compasses and guiding beacons for you.
Having bangles put on by a jeweller
Someone asked him about women who, although properly veiled, extend their arm to a jeweller for him to put on bangles on their wrists. He answered: “It is haram for a woman to show her arm to a non-mahram and to put it in his hand.”[1]
Women’s naat gatherings
When the Imam was asked about the permissibility of women holding mawlid gatherings and loudly reciting naats in them, he stated: “It is impermissible to do this as a woman’s ˹melodious˺ voice should be concealed. For a non-mahram to hear the melodious/tuneful voice of a woman can lead to great tribulations.”[2]
Veiling in front of a blind person
The rules for veiling in front of people are the same for when they are blind or not. For a blind person to enter the home and sit by a woman is considered the same as someone who is not blind doing the same.[3]
Women visiting shrines
Visiting the shrines of saints and graves of people is prohibited for women.[4]
Not wearing jewellery despite being capable of doing so
For women to deliberately not wear any jewellery at all is disliked (makrūh), as this resembles men. One narration explains:
کَانَ رَسُوْلُ اﷲ صلی اﷲ تعالٰی علیه وسلم يَكْره تَعَطُّرَ النِّسَاءِ وَتَشَبُّهَهُنَّ بِالرِّجَالِ
“The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم disliked for women to remain without jewellery and for them to resemble men.”[5] , [6]
I urge our sisters to read about his eminence, Imam Ahmad Raza Khan. Consult his books and follow his teachings. May Allah Almighty enable us to spread the Imam’s teachings far and wide.
اٰمِیْن بِجَاہِ خاتَمِ النَّبِیّیْن صلَّی اللہ علیہ واٰلہٖ وسلَّم
Comments