Salamu Alaikum, This is my answer to a question by a sister in the forums. The Question is how far should women be involved in the political situation of a muslim country? Now when I say a muslim country, we are assuming a nation that follows the Sunnah of the Rasul (pbuh) and the Quran. Islamic history is filled with women who undertook various forms of political activism. Unfortunately, however, much of this history has been ignored. The first martyr in Islam was a woman, Sumaya zawgat Yasir. Sumaya was tortured and killed in the early period of Islam because of her belief. Women also fought in battles to defend Islam. Umm Imara defended the Prophet during the Battle of Uhud after the Muslims were defeated. Another famous female warrior was Nasiba bint Kaab who fought with the Prophet in the Battle of Uhud and later on with Caliph Abu Bakr in the Ridda war . She was known as such a brave and dedicated muslim that Abu Bakr himself attended her reception upon her return to Medina. We know men's superiority over women in regards to intelligence, piety, or any other things is non-sene. But when it comes down to leadership, bread winner, and who should be the respresentive of the home, its clear its the husband. Now comes the proof from the Quran that shows my statements regarding the degree women show be involved in politics. Abu Bakra said when the Prophet was informed that the people of Persia (Iran) had crowned the daughter of Kisra as their ruler, he said, "No people will ever succeed if they hand their affairs to a woman.’" Sahih al-Bukhari, trans. by M.M. Khan, Kazi Publications, 1983, vol. 5, p. 508. (hadith is weak) Wallahi, a pious women is a million times better then a man with a beard, who has little value's. Women are allowed to be involved in Islamic government or politics but there are certain degree's they are limited to. When the day of judgement comes the level of righteousness will be determined by your imaan and not the gender. So ask yourselfs if there is no ranks between man and women, why didn't Allah (swt) make us just one gender that reproduce's. "And the divorced women shall undergo, without remarrying, a waiting period of three monthly courses: for it is not lawful for them to conceal what God may have created in their wombs, if they believe in God and the Last Day. And during this period their husbands are fully entitled to take them back, if they desire reconciliation; but, in accordance with justice, the rights of the wives with regard to their husbands are equal to the husbands’ rights with regard to them, although men have a degree over them.(Quran 2:228). Its clear by now with these proofs from the Quran and hadith that certainly a women can not be a head of a nation. This doesn't mean that women are considered insignificant. When muslim women were give great honor and respect in the Islamic world, the African americans were considered animals in the 1900's. When muslim women were the jewel of the muslim world, black women in America was less significant the the dog on the street. This should show how much we as somali's and muslims admire our women. If a daughter or a wife is judged by the honor of her father in regards to the community then men are ultimately responsible for women (fathers for their daughters, husbands for their wives, etc.) and this accountability would be solely on men's shoulders to bear all the way until they get married, where the responsiblity lays again on a man. P.S. Most of my answers were deprived from the great book called The Emancipation of Woman at the Time of the Prophet by brother Abdelhalim Abu Shaka. Since I did my homework, pls show me any of my mistake's and I do take insults well. After all adversity and patience is the character of a muslim. I hope I've answered the question of the sister. Jazakallah Kheir, Taqwa [This message has been edited by Taqwa (edited 04-12-2002).]

Dear Tamina, A woman may search for a husband and propose to him. This should, however, take place following proper Islamic etiquettes. Cheers, tawqa

Dear Poster, Keep your eyes open and take your time. Since marriage is for life, for eternity, hurrying into it for any reason whatsoever is the act of a foolish or careless person who has only himself to blame if things go wrong. Let me remind you that the prophet said, "The whole world is a provision, and the best object of benefit of the world is the pious woman." Another hadith: "The Prophet (s.a.w) said, "A woman may be married for four reasons: for her property, her status, her beauty, and her religion; so try to get one who is religious, and success shall be yours." We are humans, powerless in this sphere of life, knowledgeable only enough to survive for a few moments. Let your destiny be your guide and dont' contemplate so much of the fashion of a person. Cheers, Taqwa

Tamina, First you must understand the difference between dating and proposing. The poster here is talking about female's approaching somali male's. Surely there are muslim women in history who have proposed to muslim men, but that's out of the agenda for the moment. Cheers, taqwa

Dear Poster, Leave it to the brother to undertake that task. The elegance and modesty of a women must be held at all cost. Islam wants all human beings to grow up as emissaries of Allah on earth. In that respect, compromising on your honor and purity is an ill thing to do. If it's the will of Allah to make you the beholder of your wishs, then its great. But let the wave of destiny cross your road, rather then you running after it. It's all nasiib. cheers, taqwa

Dear Poster, There is a certain amount of etiquette when it come's to discussing something that is between two partners. Don't think that since your behind the screen and no one knows your true identity, your right in speaking about your bedroom secrets. You must always be aware that Allah is watching you, in secret and in the open. Your attitude towards Allah must always be balanced between fear and hope, which for the Muslims are like the two wings of a bird. It's the responsibility of the muslim husband to satisfy his wife emotionally, physically and of course financially. Every thing that you give to your wife is written as a good deed. I'm sure that you meant good in opening such a topic, but there are certain things in life which are better off not touched in public (sex). Remember what the prophet said in his last sermon in mount arafat, "Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers." This quote certainly shows that sexual relationship between husband and wife is included and a must. P.S. I'm advicing you first as a brother who thinks good of your intentions, but I'm not fond of your motive's. cheers, taqwa [This message has been edited by Taqwa (edited 04-08-2002).]

As Salamu Alaikum Wr Wb, I remember praying in the mosque this Ramadan, on the 27th of Lailu al-Qadr. The mosque was filled with 700 people and this is 4 am when the kufr's are sleeping or committing Haram. At least 300-500 people were crying, and the voice of the imaam was like no other. The feeling of contentment and peace entered my heart. That was one of my memoriable moments in my life. The feeling was like no other. I ASK YOU BRO/SIS: ->Do you feel your hearting crying when reciting the Quran or listening to it? ->Do you cry when reading Quran or feel its light shining in your heart? ->Do you feel guilty and embarrassed in front of Allah when you do something HARAM? ->Do fear death at night when you are in your bed, and contemplating on entering Jannah? ->Are you afraid of the hereafter, when humanity will stand before Allah and be judged for its deeds? The sooner you answer these questions, the better. I felt and feel these answers written in my vain. I pray that I see you all in Jannah, praying behind the Rasul (pbuh). Ameen. ---------------------------------------- I end with the Islamic greetings and the best of greetings. Salamu Alaikum to all. Taqwa

Salamu Alaikum I once heard an Islamic Scholar by the name of Abdulrahamn Al sebai in the United States say that anything which changes the state of the human instinct is haram. If something that you consume has an affect on your Islamic practice's such as prayer, and fasting, then there should be a ban. I believe anyone who chew's such an intoxicant should re-consider the boundary's of his judgement. I thinks it's a matter of choice and I for one is against it. I'll end with the Islamic greetings and the best of greetings. Salamu Alaikum to all.

Assalamu Alaikum Wr Wb, I think I speak for most muslimb brothers when I say, that we want a righteous wife that fears Allah and has the character of the prophets wife's. This is the greatest gift a brother can receive. I'll end this with the islamic greetings and the best of greatings. Assalamu alaikum to all.

As Salamu Alaikum Wr Wb, Jazakallah Kheir to the poster for reminding us. The story seems to change from one sheik to the other, . I guess its what he is saying that matter's and not how he say's it , except the aussie accent is a little bit refreshing to the ear. We are used to the New Yorker accent.I'll end with the Islamic greetings and the best of greetings. Salamu Alaikum to all.

As Salamu Alaikum, The English language is the most boring and non-sense course I've ever taken in university. looooool@libaax, walaal what made you take such a course fromt the beginning, I just can't imagine sitting in a course called women studies. I could imagine you there...crying to death... ....Fluid Mechanics was OKAY, not all that from my opinion. P.S. I think school is boring PERIOD. Wa alaikum Salam, Allah hafiz

Morning guys, This topic is quite unique and stupid at the same time, I hate to critize, but its all out of love. Well first of all lady fatima, I don't need to know who's having there periods nor do the rest of the guys,..lol.. To answer the question on the post, -->Two people who have an intimate relationships who are not married should be whipped about 80 or more time's, if they are married then they should be stoned to death, with their body buried up to their chest (*Sharia). In the case of one person being married, this act should be the same also. Committing zina is a huge mistake (HARAM) in Islam and should be taken seriously before anyone Indulge's in this act. --->By the way, non of the 4 school of thoughts have forbidden two adulter's to not get married. So the answer is: they can get married. Cheers,

Hi there guys, I've been a poet sine I was 11 yrs old, but how come you guys publish your poetry in such a way. Aren't you afraid of the copywrite. I usually make sure that this occur's. Maybe I'm just a bit over exaggerating, but it's a concern. You want your poem, to be your's only. But sharing is excellent except under the microscope. Cheers,