Females furthering their Islamic studies
Question:-
I would like to know how important it is for girls to attain Deeni Ta’leem such as going to a girl’s Darul Uloom etc? Is it as important for girls, as it is for boys? If it is not that important, then what are their main objectives in this Dunya?
Some feminists might object and question, ‘How can Deeni Ta’leem not be as important for girls as it is for boys, as there were Sahaabiyaat that acquired knowledge of Deen?’ What would be the answer to that?
Answer:-
Anas Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “Seeking knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim male (and according to one narration), upon every Muslim female.” [Re:- Mishkaat Page.24]
The commentary of Mishkaat Sharif titled ‘Mazaahir-e-Haq’ states that seeking knowledge is Fardh. It is recorded in ‘Ta’leequs Sabeeh’ which is also a commentary of Mishkaat Sharif,
The term ‘Knowledge’ refers to that knowledge which is necessary for one to acquire. For example, when a person becomes a Muslim, then it is obligatory (upon him) to recognise Allah Ta’ala and His attributes, and to know His Rasul Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. If these aspects are not in order, then the Imaan of a person will not be in order.
When it is the time of Salaah, then one needs to have the necessary knowledge pertaining to Salaah. When the month of Ramadaan dawns upon a person, then he needs to have the necessary knowledge of fasting. If one owns the Nisaab, then he is required to have the necessary knowledge of Zakaat. When one is ready for marriage, then one is required to have the necessary knowledge of Haidh, Nifaas, Talaaq, and those laws pertaining to the husband and wife. If one commences business, then one is required to know the Masaa’il pertaining to buying and selling. Similarly, one is required to have the necessary knowledge of all those matters which one experiences and encounters in life. If one doesn’t acquire the relevant knowledge required, then one will be extremely sinful. (Mazaahir-e-Haq Pg.96 /97 Vol.1)
وقال البيضاوي المراد من العلم ما لا مندوحة للعبد عن تعلمه كمعرفة الصانع او لعلم بواحدانية ونبوة رسوله وكيفية الصلوة فان تعلمه فرض عين ص151 ج1
It is proven from this Hadith that it is Fardh upon every Muslim male and female to acquire that amount of knowledge by which one’s fundamental beliefs are corrected and by which one can fulfil all his acts of Ibaadat correctly (such as Salaah, fasting, Zakaat and Hajj), and by which ones social life, business transactions, and character is corrected.
In conclusion, acquiring the necessary knowledge of Deen is not only obligatory upon males, but upon females as well and, in fact, great importance has been attached to this. If women acquire the necessary knowledge of Deen, then their minds will be beautified with the knowledge of Deen and they will be able to live their lives in accordance to Shariah. They will also be able to nurture and mould their children in accordance to Shariah from childhood.
It is as clear as daylight that without knowledge one cannot make Amal correctly. To make Amal correctly is Waajib and Fardh, hence, acquiring the knowledge of Deen is also Fardh. This is proven logically, as well as in the narration quoted above.
If in some homes, one’s father, or brother, or husband is an Alim, then asking them certain questions is sometimes difficult. Therefore, women need to be educated, and educating them in Deeni matters is also obligatory. [Islaahi Inqilaab Pg.194 / Bahishti Zewar Pg.99 Vol.1]
From the above discussion the importance of educating girls has been established. It is, therefore, necessary to afford importance to their Deeni education and arrange for them to acquire it. However, proper arrangement should be made for their education in such a manner that their respect, honour and chastity is not compromised in any way whatsoever. [Re:- Fataawa Rahimiyyah Pg,160 – 162 Vol.3]
They should return home by the evening, and further, they should be dropped off and picked up by some Mahram if they are required to go to the home of some female Apa (to be educated in the locality). By doing so, there is hope that they will be protected from all forms of Fitna.
If these basic matters of Deen are covered by women, then they will be able to live a life in accordance to Shariah and educate their children in accordance to Shariah as well Insha’Allah. This is sufficient for a woman, as ultimately she is required to remain at home and be of service to her husband and children. Undoubtedly, she too, is required to spend her life in the Ibaadat Allah Ta’ala and prepare for her Aakhirah, but at the same time she should be of service to her family which is also a means of acquiring reward.
Nowadays, many females desire studying further and thereby increasing their knowledge of Deen, but at the expense of neglecting their families. This has resulted in numerous marital breakdowns and people are blatantly stating that one shouldn’t marry girls that have furthered their studies in Deen. Many even go to the extent of challenging Ulama because of them having studied Islamic knowledge, whilst others challenge their husbands who may not be as educated as them, whereas this was not the objective of studying Deen. The reason and purpose of studying was to please Allah Ta’ala and excel in the Ibaadat of Allah Ta’ala, whereas this is something rare, and to a great extent unheard of in this day and age. Females should acquire knowledge to the extent that they are able to live a life in accordance to Shariah and mould their life accordingly.
The objection that many of them raise, is that certain females in the era of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam excelled in terms of Deeni knowledge such as Aisha Radiallahu Anha. There is absolutely no doubt in this. She had narrated 2210 Ahadith with 174 of her narrations recorded in Bukhari and Muslim. However, she was fortunate to be in the company of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam and was guided by none other than the master Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Do the women of this day and age have such a guide that can correct them? Will they comply and adhere to the instructions of their spouses, or will they consider themselves to be superior since they have excelled in knowledge of Deen? Aisha Radiallahu Anha was extremely humble and extremely generous. She freed many slaves and performed Hajj every year. Do we have such calibre of women in this day and age? If not, then why are we comparing with the Sahaabiyyat in just one aspect of Deen while overlooking the remainder? In conclusion, our view is that women (in this day and age) should acquire the necessary knowledge of Deen as mentioned above and spend more time in serving their Creator and families. By doing so, they will attain the pleasure and happiness of Allah Ta’ala which is the greatest thing, as well as enjoying a happy, marital life.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:-
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 26 Rajab 1443 / 28 February 2022