The Muslim Woman and her Rabb

One of the most prominent distinguishing features of the Muslim woman is her deep faith in Allah (SWT), and her sincere conviction that whatever happens in this universe, and whatever fate befalls human beings, only happens through the will and decree of Allah (SWT); A person has no choice in this life but to strive towards the right path and to do good deeds putting all her trust in Allah (SWT), submitting to His will, and believing that she is always in need of Allah’s (SWT) help and support.

The story of H.Hajirah A.S offers the Muslim woman the most marvellous example of deep faith in Allah (SWT) and sincere trust in Him. Ibrahim A.S left her at the Ka`bah in Makkah, above the well of Zamzam, at a time when there were no people and no water in the place. H.Hajirah A.S had no-one with her except her infant son Isma`il A.S.She asked Ibrahim A.S calmly and with no trace of panic: “Has Allah (SWT) commanded you to do this, O Ibrahim?” Ibrahim A.S Said, “Yes.” Her response reflected her acceptance and optimism: “Then He is not going to abandon us.” (Bukhari)

Here was an extremely difficult situation: a man left his wife and infant son in a barren land, where there were no plants, no water, and no people, and went back to the distant land of Palestine. He left nothing with her but a sack of dates and a skin filled with water. Were it not for the deep faith and trust in Allah (SWT) that filled her heart, she would not have been able to cope with such a difficult situation; she would have collapsed straight away, and would not have become the woman whose name is forever remembered night and day by those who perform Hajj and Umrah at the house of Allah (SWT), every time they drink the pure water of Zamzam, and run between the mounts of Safa’ and Marwah, as H.Hajirah A.S did on that most trying day. This deep faith and awareness had an amazing effect on the lives of Muslim men and women: it awoke their consciences and reminded them that Allah (SWT) witnesses and knows every secret, and that He is with a person wherever they may be.