Prophet Nuh (Noah) And the Ark

PROPHET NUH (Noah) (PeaceBeUponHim)

He was Nuh Ibn Lamik, Ibn Mitoshilkh, Ibn Idris (Enoch), Ibn yard, Ibn Mahlabeel, Ibn Qinan, Ibn Anoush, Ibn Seth, Ibn Adam the Father of Mankind (PBUH).

Note:- I have divided the paragraphs in 11 parts for better understanding of the Events.

****1***

Many hundred of years passed after Adam, and the earth was filled with his children. As time passed, the children of Adam forgot Allah and started to worship statues made of stones. They became bad and would lie, steal and some became mean and greedy.

For many generations Nuh's people had been worshipping statues that they called gods. They believed that these gods would bring them good, protect them from evil and provide all their needs. They gave their idols names such as Waddan, Suwa'an, Yaghutha, Ya'auga, and Nasran, (These idols represented, respectively, manly power; mutability, beauty; brute strength, swiftness, sharp sight, insight) according to the power they thought these gods possessed.

Originally these were the names of good people who had lived among them. After their deaths, statues of them were erected to keep their memories alive. After sometime, however, people began to worship these statues. Later generations did not even know why they had been erected; they only knew their parents had prayed to them. That is how idol worshipping developed. Since they had no understanding of Allah the Almighty Who would punish them for their evil deeds, they became cruel and immoral.

Ibn Abbas explained: "Following upon the death of those righteous men, Satan inspired their people to erect statues in the places where they used to sit. They did this, but these statues were not worshiped until the coming generations deviated from the right way of life. Then they worshipped them as their idols."

Ibn Abi Hatim related this story: "Waddan was a righteous man who was loved by his people. When he died, they withdrew to his grave in the land of Babylonia and were overwhelmed by sadness. When Iblis saw their sorrow caused by his death, he disguised himself in the form of a man saying: 'I have seen your sorrow because of this man's death; can I make a statue like him which could be put in your meeting place to make you remember him?' They said: 'Yes.'

So he made the statue like him. They put it in their meeting place in order to be reminded of him. When Iblis saw their interest in remembering him, he said: 'Can I build a statue of him in the home of each one of you so that he would be in everyone's house and you could remember him?'

They agreed. Their children learned about and saw what they were doing. They also learned about their remembrance of him instead of Allah. So the first to be worshipped instead of Allah was Waddan, the idol which they named thus."

****2***

The essence of this point is that every idol from those earlier mentioned was worshipped by a certain group of people. It was mentioned that people made picture sand as the ages passed they made these pictures into statues, so that their forms could be fully recognized; afterwards they were worshipped instead of Allah.

Worshipping anything other than Allah is a tragedy that results not only in the loss of freedom; its serious effect reaches man's mind and destroys it as well. Almighty Allah created man and his mind with its purpose set on achieving knowledge the most important of which is that Allah alone is the Creator and all the rest are worshippers (slaves). Therefore, disbelief in Allah, or polytheism, results in the loss of freedom, the destruction of the mind, and the absence of a noble target in life. (By worshipping anything other than Allah, man becomes enslaved to Satan, who is himself a creature and becomes harnessed to his own baser qualities).

****3***

Into this environment Allah sent Nuh with His message to his people. Nuh was the only intellectual not caught in the whirlpool of man's destruction which was caused by polytheism.

Allah is His Mercy sent His messenger Nuh to guide his people. Nuh was an excellent speaker and a very patient man. He pointed out to his people the mysteries of life and the wonders of the universe. He pointed out how the night is regularly followed by the day and that the balance between these opposites was designed by Allah the Almighty for our good. The night gives coolness and rest while the day gives warmth and awakens activity. The sun encourages growth, keeping all plants and animals alive, while the moon and stars assist in the reckoning of time, direction and seasons. He pointed out that the ownership of the heavens and the earth belongs only to the Divine Creator.

Allah the Almighty told us: "Indeed We sent Nuh to his people (he said): "I have come to you as a plain Warner that you worship none but Allah, surely, I fear for you the torment of a painful Day." The chiefs of the disbelievers among his people said: "We see you but a man like ourselves, nor do we see any follow you but the meanest among us and they too followed you without thinking. And we do not see in you any merit above us in fact we think you are liars." (11:25-27).

Nuh tried his best for many years to make people come back to the worship of Allah. But the people would not listen. They laughed at him, mocked him, despised him and called him crazy and a liar(26:105-118,54:9 Quran)

****4***

Nuh's people were divided into two groups after his warning. His words touched the hearts of the weak, the poor, and the miserable and soothed their wounds with its mercy. As for the rich, the strong, the mighty and the rulers they looked upon the warning with cold distrust. They believed they would be better off if things stayed as they were. Therefore they started their war of words against Nuh.

The rulers had thought at first that Nuh's call would soon fade on its own. When they found that his call attracted the poor, the helpless and common laborers, they started to verbally attack and taunt him: 'You are only followed by the poor, the meek and the worthless.'

The disbelievers tried to bargain: "Listen Nuh, if you want us to believe in you, then dismiss your believers. They are meek and poor, while we are elite and rich; no faith can include us both." Nuh listened to the heathens of his community and realized they were being obstinate. However, he was gentle in his response. He explained to his people that he could not dismiss the believers as they were not his guests but Allah's.

Nuh appealed to them: "O my people! I ask of you no wealth for it, my reward is from none but Allah. I am not going to drive away those who have believed. Surely, they are going to meet their Lord, but I see that you are a people that are ignorant. O my people! Who will help me against Allah, if I drove them away? Will you not then give a thought? And I do not say to you that with me are the Treasures of Allah nor that I know the unseen, nor do I say I am an angel, and I do not say of those whom your eyes look down upon that Allah will not bestow any good on them. Allah knows what is in their inner selves (regards to Belief). In that case, I should, indeed be one of the Zalimeen (wrongdoers, oppressors etc)." (11:29-31 Quran)

Nuh refuted the arguments of the disbelievers with the noble knowledge of the prophets. It is the logic of intellect that rids itself of personal pride and interests.

The rulers were tired of Nuh's arguments. Allah the Exalted related their attitude: They said: "O Nuh! You have disputed with us and much have you prolonged the dispute with us, now bring upon us what you threaten us with, if you are of the truthful." He said: "Only Allah will bring it (the punishment) on you, if He will, and then you will escape not. And my advice will not profit you, even if I wish to give you counsel, if Allah's Will is to keep you astray. He is your Lord! And to Him you shall return." (11:32-34 Quran)

Nuh continued appealing to his people to believe in Allah hour after hour, day after day year after year. He admonished his people and called them to Allah day and night, in secret and openly. HE gave them examples, explained Allah's signs and illustrated Allah's ability in the formation of His creatures. But whenever he called them to Allah, they ran away from him. Whenever he urged them to ask Allah to forgive them, they put their fingers in their ears and became too proud to listen to the truth.

****5***

Allah the Almighty related what Nuh faced in following verses of Chapter71: Verily, We sent Nuh to his people saying: "Warn your people before there comes to them a painful torment."

He said: "O my people! Verily, I am a plain Warner to you, that you should worship Allah alone, be dutiful to Him and obey me, He (Allah) will forgive you of your sins and respite you to an appointed term. Verily, the term of Allah when it comes, cannot be delayed, if you but knew."

He said: "O my Lord! Verily, I have called my people night and day (secretly and openly to accept the doctrine of Islamic Monotheism), but all my calling added nothing but to their flight from the truth. Verily! Every time I called unto them that You might forgive them, they thrust their fingers into their ears, covered themselves up with their garments, and persisted (in their refusal), and magnified themselves in pride. Then verily, I called to them openly (aloud); then verily, I proclaimed to them in public, and I have appealed to them in private, I said to them: 'Ask forgiveness from your Lord, Verily, He is Oft Forgiving; He will send rain to you in abundance, and give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers."

What is the matter with you, that you fear not Allah (His Punishment), and you hope not for reward from Allah or you believe not in His Oneness. While He has created you in different stages. (23:13-14 Quran)

See you not how Allah has created the seven heavens one above another, and has made the moon a light therein and made the sun a lamp? And Allah has brought you forth from the dust of earth. Afterwards He will return you into it (the earth), and bring you forth (again on the Day of Resurrection) Allah has made for you the earth wide spread (an expanse) that you may go about therein broad roads.

Nuh said: "My Lord! They have disobeyed me, and followed one whose wealth and children give him no increase but only loss. They have plotted a mighty plot. They have said: 'you shall not leave your gods, nor shall you leave wadd, nor Suwa, nor Yaghuth, nor ya'uq nor Nasr (names of the idols). Indeed they have led many astray. O Allah! Grant no increase to the Zalimeen (polytheists, wrongdoers, and disbelievers etc) save error."

Because of their sins they were drowned, then were made to enter the Fire and they found none to help them instead of Allah. (71:1-25 Quran).

****6***

Nuh continued to call his people to believe in Allah for 950 years.

Allah the Almighty said: Indeed We sent Nuh to his people and he stayed among them a thousand years less fifty years (inviting them to believe in the Oneness of Allah (Monotheism) and discard the false gods and other deities). (29:14 Quran)

****7***

NOAH Building The ARK

Nuh was tired and shocked to see the stone heartedness of his people. He became so fed up with the stubbornness of their opposition to the truth that he ultimately prayed to Allah “"My Lord! Leave not one of the disbelievers on the earth. If you leave them, they will mislead Your slaves and they will beget none but wicked disbelievers." (71:27 Quran)

“I am vanquished, so give help.”(54:10 Quran).

He also prayed to Allah to save him and his followers (26:118).

Allah inspired him not to grieve for them at which point Nuh prayed that the disbelievers be destroyed.

Allah accepted Nuh's prayer. The case was closed, and He passed His judgment on the disbelievers in the form of a flood. Allah the Exalted ordered His worshipper Nuh to build an ark with His knowledge and instructions and with the help of angels. Almighty Allah commanded: "And construct the ship under Our Eyes and with Our Inspiration and address Me not on behalf of those who did wrong; they are surely to be drowned." (11:37 Quran)

Nuh chose a place outside the city, far from the sea. HE collected wood and tools and began to day and night to build the ark. The people's mockery continued: "O Nuh! Does carpentry appeal to you more than prophet hood? Why are you building an ark so far from the sea? Are you going to drag it to the water or is the wind going to carry it for you?" Nuh replied: "You will come to know who will be put to shame and suffer."

Allah the Almighty narrated: As he was constructing the ship, whenever the chiefs of his people passed by him, they made a mockery of him. He said: "If you mock at us, so do we mock at you likewise for your mocking. And you will know who it is on whom will come a torment that will cover him with disgrace and on whom will fall a lasting torment." (11:38-39 Quran)

****8***

The ship was constructed, and Nuh sat waiting Allah's command. Allah revealed to him that when water miraculously gushed forth from the oven at Nuh's house, that would be the sign of the start of the flood, and the sign for Nuh to act.

The terrible day arrived when the oven at Nuh's house overflowed. Nuh hurried to open the ark and summon the believers. He also took with him a pair, male and female, of every type of animal, bird and insect. Seeing him taking these creatures to the ark, the people laughed loudly: "Nuh must have gone out of his head! What is he going to do with the animals?"

Almighty Allah narrated: So it was till then there came Our Command and the oven gushed forth (water like fountains from the earth). We said: "Embark therein, of each kind two (male and female), and your family, except him against whom the Word has already gone forth, and those who believe." And none believed him except a few. (11:40 Quran)

Nuh's wife was not a believer with him so she did not join him; neither did one of Nuh's sons, who was secretly a disbeliever but had pretended faith in front of Nuh. Likewise most of the people were disbelievers and did not go on board.

The scholars hold different opinions on the number of those who were with Nuh on the ship. Ibn Abbas stated that there were 80 believers while Ka ab al Ahbar held that there were 72 believers. Others claimed that there were 10 believers with Nuh.

Water rose from the cracks in the earth; there was not a crack from which water did not rise. Rain poured from the sky in quantities never seen before on earth. Water continued pouring from the sky rising from the cracks; hour after hour the level rose. The seas and waves invaded the land. The interior of the earth moved in a strange way, and the ocean floors lifted suddenly, flooding the dry land. The earth, for the first time was submerged.

****9***

Allah told the story thus:

He (Nuh) said: "Embark therein in the Name of Allah will be its moving course and its resting anchorage. Surely, my Lord is Oft Forgiving, most Merciful." so it (the ship) sailed with them amidst the waves like mountains, and Nuh called out to his son, who had separated himself (apart), "O my son! Embark with us and be not with the disbelievers." The son replied, "I will betake myself to a mountain, it will save me from the water." Nuh said: "This day there is no savior from the Decree of Allah except him on whom He has mercy." And a wave came in between them so he (the son) was among the drowned.

It was said: "O Earth! Swallow up your water, and O sky! Withhold (your rain)." The water was diminished (made to subside) and the Decree (of Allah) was fulfilled (the destruction of the people of Nuh). And it (the ship) rested on Mount Judi, and it was said: "Away with the people who are Zalimeen (polytheists, and wrongdoing)!"

Nuh called upon his Lord and said, "O my Lord! Verily, my son is of my family! Certainly, Your Promise is true, and You are the Most Just of the judges." HE said: "O Nuh! Surely, he is not of your family; verily, his work is unrighteous, so ask not of Me that of which you have no knowledge! I admonish you, lest you be one of the ignorants."

Nuh said: "O my Lord! I seek refuge with You from asking You that of which I have no knowledge. And unless You forgive me and have Mercy on me, I would indeed be one of the losers."

It was said: "O Nuh! Come down (from the ship) with peace from Us and blessings on you and on the people owho are with you (and on some of their offspring), but (there will be other) people to whom We shall grant their pleasures (for a time), but in the end a painful torment will reach them from Us." (11:41-48 Quran)

****10***

With the issue of the divine command, calm returned to earth, the water retreated, and the dry land shone once again in the rays of the sun. The flood had cleansed the earth of the disbelievers and polytheists.

Nuh released the birds, and the beasts which scattered over the earth. After that the believers disembarked. Nuh put his forehead to the ground in prostration. The survivors kindled a fire and sat around it. Lighting a fire had been prohibited on board so as not to ignite the ship's wood and burn it up. None of them had eaten hot food during the entire period of the floor. Following the disembarkation there was a day of fasting in thanks to Allah.

****11***

The Quran draws the curtain on Nuh's story. We do not know how his affairs with his people continued. All we know or can ascertain is that on his deathbed he requested his son to worship Allah alone, Nuh then passed away.

Abdullah Ibn Amru Ibn Al as narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "When the death of the Messenger of Allah ,Nuh, approached, the messenger admonished his sons: 'Indeed I would give you far reaching advice, commanding you to do 2 things, and warning you against doing 2 things as well. I charge you to believe that there is no god but Allah and that if the seven heavens and the seven earths were put on one side of a scale and the words "there is no god but Allah" were put on the other, the latter would outweigh the former. I warn you against associating partners with Allah and against pride." (Sahih al Bukhari)

Some traditions said that his grave is in the Scared Mosque in Mecca, while others said that he was buried in Baalabak, a city in Iraq.

Sources:-

1. http://www.anwary-islam.com/

2. ISLAM-Beliefs and Teachings, Author:-Ghulam Sarwar, Director, the Muslim Educational Trust (London).Publisher: The Muslim Educational

ALLAH, Satan and Prophet Adam

Satan, with his deceptions and whisperings, is still relentlessly pursuing Adam’s descendants. He caused Adam to fall from Paradise. He first caused Adam’s son to kill his brother. This was not enough for him. As the ages went by and the descendants of Adam became more distanced in time from their father and prophet, Satan made idolatry fair seeming to them. He deceived them and achieved his aim. This first happened to the people of Noah who were idol worshippers. They worshipped Widd, Siwâ`, Yaghûth, Ya`ûq, and Nasr. These names originally belonged to righteous people among their forefathers. When they had died, Satan inspired the people to erect statues in their honor. They did this but refrained from worshiping them. When that generation passed away and knowledge dwindled, Satan got their descendants to worship those statues. [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (6/73) as related from Ibn `Abbâs] Ibn Jarîr al-Tabarî, in his commentary of the Qur’ân, relates the following from Muhammad b. Qays [Tafsîr al-Tabarî (23/639)]: They were righteous people from the progeny of Adam (peace be upon him). They had followers who emulated them. When they died, their followers said: “If we make likenesses of them, it will be a reminder to us and make us more earnest in our worship.” So they made statues commemorating them. Then, when that generation had died, Satan came to those who came after them and informed them that their forefathers used to worship those statues and through them the rains were brought forth. So people began worshipping the statues. This is how idolatry got started. Satan beguiled the people into worshipping idols. However, Allah in his knowledge, wisdom, and mercy, did not leave his servants to be Satan’s victims. He sent Messengers to clarify to them the true faith and to warn them against idolatry. Allah did this as a mercy to His servants and in order to establish the proof against them “so that he who would perish might perish by clear proof, and he who would live might live by clear proof.” [Sûrah al-Anfâl: 42] When Allah created Adam and breathed into him his spirit, He commanded the angels to prostrate themselves before him. Satan, who was not an angel but from the Jinn, was in their company, had been worshipping Allah along with them. Allah addresses Satan as well as the angels with His command because Satan was in the company of the angels and was behaving like them. However, when they were all commanded to prostrate before Adam, Satan refused and was cursed. Allah says: “And remember when we said to the angels: ‘Prostrate before Adam’ and they all prostrated except for Satan. He refused and was haughty and was one of the unbelievers.” [Sûrah al-Baqarah: 34] The reason he refused to bow before Adam was because of his pride, envy, and rancor. His punishment was to be cursed and banished from Allah’s mercy. However, this filthy creature grew in his hatred of Adam and Adam’s progeny and requested from Allah to grant him respite until the Day of Resurrection. This Allah granted him. What Satan said next is related in the Qurân: “He said: ‘Because You have thrown me out of the way, I will lie in wait for them on Your straight way. Then will I assault them from before them and behind them, from their right and their left. You will find most of them to be ungrateful.’” [Sûrah al-A`râf: 16-17] That is how Satan swore he would lead Allah’s servants from the progeny of Adam astray. He would take them off the path of truth and salvation. He would cause them to abandon the worship of Allah or bring them to polytheism. He would lead them to any path that would cut them off from all that is good and enamor them of all that is evil. Allah also relates to us the following words of Satan: “(Satan) said: ‘O my Lord! Because You have put me in the wrong, I will make wrong fair-seeming to them on the Earth, and I will put them all in the wrong except Your servants among them, sincere and purified.’ ” [Sûrah al-Hijr: 39-40] “(Satan) said: ‘See You this one whom You have honored above me? If You will but grant me respite to the Day of Judgment, I will surely bring his descendants under my sway – all but a few!’ ” [Sûrah al-Isrâ’: 62]

Topics Till Now

The topics of my Blog so far were as follows:- ( starting with the latest Posts) Note:(Right-click on name of Topic and then Click on "Open in New Window" to open in a New Page.)

• Women in ISLAM : Their Status, Right And Duties

• Polygamy in ISLAM : A Man Having more than one Wife

• Qur'an And Science

• Sayings of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH)

• Signs Of Qayamat or Judgment Day

• Christianity And Islam : Similarities And Diffrences

• Sirat-Al-Mustaqim : Meaning of the word and Translation of Surah Al-Fatiha

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Women in ISLAM

The Post covers topics about

1.Status of Women in Islam

2.Rights of Women in islam

3.Duties of Women in islam

1.Status of Women in Islam

Women have a very important place in Islamic society. Unlike a number of other religions, Islam holds women in high esteem. Her importance as a mother and as a wife has been clearly stated by Prophet Mohammad (pbuh).

The prophet said, “Paradise lies at the feet of your mothers.” Once a person asked the prophet, “Who deserves the best care from me?” the prophet replied, “your mother (he repeated 3 times), then your father and then your nearest relatives.”

In his farewell speech at Arafat in the 10^th year of Hijrah, the prophet said, “O people, your wives have certain rights over you and you have certain rights over them. Treat them well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers.”

The prophet also said, “The best among you is the one who is the best towards his wife.”

These sayings clearly prove the important position given to women in Islam. But there are still people, especially in the west, who have misgivings about the status of women in Islam. To these people, the Muslim woman is seen almost as ‘a prisoner in the four walls of the house, a non-person, and as someone who as no rights and living under the dominance of a man.’ Their notions are totally wrong, and are based on ignorance rather than knowledge of Islam. Unfortunately, most Muslims are ignorant and do things which are against what is taught in Islam. This helps those who are constantly on the look-out to pull down Islam.

In order to judge these false ideas held by western people, it would be useful to survey the attitudes to women in different societies in the past.

• During the roman civilization, a woman was regarded as a slave.
• The Greeks considered her a commodity to be bought and sold.
• Early Christianity regarded women as temptresses, responsible for the fall of Adam.
• In India, in the past, a widow had to jump into the flames of her husband’s funeral pyre. Sati, child marriages and ban on widow remarriages became part of social life in India.The system was abolished by the British and progressive leaders, including women, from the community supported its end.
• In some parts of India, the Devadasis or the temple women were sexually exploited.
• In pre-Islamic state of Arabia, a woman was regarded as a cause for grief and unhappiness, and baby girls were sometimes -buried alive after birth.
• In Cambridge and oxford universities, male and female students were not given same rights until 1964.
• Before 1850, women were not counted as citizens in England and English women had no personal rights until 1882.

If we keep this picture in mind, we must conclude that Islam liberated women from Dark Age of obscurity, 14 hundred years ago…!!

Islam recognizes the realities of life. This does not mean it has recognized equalities of man and woman in every respect. Rather, it has defined their duties in keeping with their different biological make-up (2:228). Allah has not made man and woman identical, so it would be against nature to have total equality. It would destroy social balance; society would not prosper, but would instead have insoluble problems such as broken marriages, illegitimate children and the break-up of family-life.

These problems are already rife in the western society. Teenage pregnancies, abortions, divorce and many other problems have cropped up because of a permissive outlook and so-called freedom. No doubt the western society has started to realize these faults and is trying to find ways to return back to family-life and setting moral standards and every sign of immorality is being dealt with. It’s a slow but a much needed change.

Note: (2:228) implies 2nd chapter, Verse number 228 of the Holy Quran.

2.Rights of Women in Islam

• Allah has created every living being in pairs- male and female (51:49), including mankind.
• Allah has honoured the children of Adam – both male and female (17:70).
• Men and Women who believe are protectors of one another (9:71).
• Allah will reward both men and women in life after death (3:195).
• In Islam, woman has a distinct and separate identity.
• Islam has given women a right to own property.
• She is the owner of her earnings.
• No-one (father, husband or brother) has a right over them.
• She can dispose of her earnings and property as she wishes, within the bounds of Halal (lawful) and Haram (unlawful).
• Islam has given women a right to inheritance.
• She has a part in the property of her dead father, husband or childless brother (4:7, 32, 176).
• She has a right to choose her husband. No-one can impose a decision on her against her will.
• She has a right to seek separation (Khula’) from her husband if their marriage becomes impossible to sustain.
• If any man falsely questions a woman’s chastity, that man is declared unfit for evidence (24:4). This shows how a woman’s honour is safeguarded from false accusations.
• The Quran asks the Muslims to treat women kindly (4:19). It makes Muslim husbands responsible for their wife’s maintenance. The women, in return, are expected to remain obedient and chaste (4:34).
• A woman has a right o develop her talents and to work within the limits of Islam.
• Islam allows a non- Muslim married woman to retain her religion and her husband cannot interfere in this freedom. This applies to Christian and Jewish women with Muslim husbands.

Note: 51:49 implies 51st chapter, Verse number 49 of the Holy Quran.

3.Duties of a woman in Islam

Islam is a fair and balanced system of life. While it specifies the rights of women it also lays down duties. A Muslim woman is expected to observe the following duties:-

• Belief in Tawhid and the practice of Islam comes first. A Muslim woman must perform her Salah (Namaz), observer Sawm (Roza/fast), pay Zakah on her own wealth (if it is applicable), go on Hajj (if she can afford it). She is exempted from Salah and can defer Sawn during her period, but she must make up the days lost afterwards. Friday prayer (Jum’ah) is optional on women.
• She is required to maintain her chastity all the time. She must not have any extra-marital relationship. The same is the case with men.
• It is her duty to bring up children according to the needs of Islam. She has to look after the family and has absolute control over domestic affairs, although the family is run by mutual consent and co-operation. She is the queen of the family and in charge of domestic life.

• She should dress modestly and should put on Hijab while going out , meeting adult males beyond her close relatives (33:59,24:30-31). She should not wear men’s clothing.

• She is her husband’s help-mate. A faithful wife is like a garment, a source of peace, happiness and contentment for her husband (30:21, 2:187).

• If she is asked to go against the commands of Allah, she must defy even her husband, father or brother.

• She is expected to protect her husband’s property and belongings in his absence.

Islam views husband and wife as complementary to each other. Together they form a peaceful and happy family which is the basis for a sound and prosperous society.

Man and women are not exactly equal in Islam. They have different physical and biological features. Islam recognizes the leadership of a man over a woman (4:34, 2:228), but does not mean domination.

Note: (4:34) implies 4th chapter, Verse number 34 of the Holy Quran.

In the west, women have been reduced almost to a commodity of enjoyment and fancy. And women have tended to degrade themselves unwittingly in modern times, for in the name of equality, they have become the objects of exploitation by men, and the slogans of liberty and equality have virtually reduced them to playful commodities. They have neither gained liberty nor achieved equality; rather they have lost their natural place in the home.

Source: - ISLAM-Beliefs and Teachings,

Author:-Ghulam Sarwar, Director, the Muslim Educational Trust (London).

publisher: The Muslim Educational Trust, London, 130 Stroud Green Road, London N4 3RZ( Tel 020 7272 8502).

( Not evrything is from this book, instead, like my other posts, i have taken refrences from other places too . And Allah knows the Best)

Polygamy in ISLAM- Explained

The post will talk about

1. Polygamy( man with more than one wife)

2. Conditions for Polygamy

3. Misuse by the ignorant people

4. Polyandry( a woman with more than one husband)

The overwhelming majority of Muslims are monogamous, that is, they have only one wife. The fact that few Muslims have more than one wife has become a matter for propaganda against Islam and such propaganda can give misleading impression of the Islamic way of life. This is especially so when it is non-practicing Muslims who are highlighted on the issue of being married to more than one wife.

Islam allows restricted polygamy, that is, marriage to more than one woman, to the maximum of four. The normal Muslim practice is monogamy, that is, one man married to one wife. Polygamy is the exception.

The Quran has imposed strict conditions for marrying several wives. “Marry women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one."(4:3).

This verse says that to marry more than one woman, a man must be able to be fair and just to each of them. If he is not able to be so, he should marry only one wife.

Note: (4:3) implies 4th chapter, Verse number 3 of the Holy Quran.

Another verse of the Quran says, “You will not be able to deal fairly between your wives, however much you wish. Yet do not turn completely aside (from one) so that you leave another in suspense, if you maintain proper conduct and do your duty. Allah is ever forgiving and Merciful. ” (4:129).

This further emphasizes fair treatment.

But in special circumstances Islam allows polygamy. These situations are:

• When a wife is barren and cannot bear children, but the husband wants children. It is better to have a second wife than to divorce the barren one. But the barren wife has the option to seek separation from her husband if she wishes, on grounds of 2nd marriage of his husband.

• If the first wife is chronically ill and she is unable to carry out her marital and household duties, the husband may marry another woman and so help restore family peace.

• Polygamy may be the solution to the problems of a society which has more women than men. This happens especially after war. The verse in the Quran allowing more than one wife was revealed after the battle of Uhud in which many Muslim men were martyred.

Carefully look at the importance of first two points. In non-Islamic society, such an unfortunate woman is mostly looked down and cursed upon, and it allows the husband to dump or mistreat the first wife and marry another woman. In the process there is no moral binding over the husband to look over the welfare of the 1st wife. There is no accountability. Even his family and the society will be by his side. This is polygamy without Islamic condition of fair and just treatment.

Whereas, in Islamic society, which talks about polygamy with fair treatment, the foremost condition to marry is that there should be fair and just treatment of the wives, thus the husband cannot be unjust to his 1st wife. The husband has fear of Allah. Also the community and family will ensure the 1st wife is given due importance and respect.

But today, in some of the poor Muslim countries, some poor men still practice polygamy. What benefit would it really serve the society and Islam for a person to bring more illiterate and starving kids into this world? I honestly believe Allah Almighty will hold accountable every man who practices polygamy. Poor men practicing polygamy don't provide fairness to the newly born kids and to the economically crippled society, and certainly not to their wives either. Allah Almighty clearly demanded that we be fair and think thoroughly before having multiple wives. He clearly encouraged just having one wife.

But if a rich guy practices polygamy the way some of the oil rich Gulf-Arab multi billionaires practice it; by marrying and divorcing on Thursdays which ensures that he never exceeds four women, and at the same time he always experiences new sexual pleasure with a new woman every week, then believe me Allah Almighty will damn him really bad in the Day of Judgment, because this is not the spiritual point from allowing polygamy in the Holy Quran!

I think practicing polygamy among those who can afford it really depends on the individual case. If the man's wife strongly opposes to polygamy to a point that she would seek a divorce, then obviously he can never satisfy her, and most probably can never be fair enough with her because he would be always fighting and arguing with her, where it may not be the case with the other wife. So destroying a marital life and damaging the kids for a personal reason is really not fair by itself.

In Western society, it is common for a man to have mistresses and/or multiple extra-marital affairs, in which case, the woman leads a disgraceful, unprotected life. The same society, however, cannot accept a man having more than one wife, in which women retain their honourable, dignified position in society and lead a protected life.

Thus the only two options before a woman who cannot find a husband is to marry a married man or to become public property (or lead an unprotected life). Islam prefers giving women the honourable position by permitting the first option and disallowing the second.

Islam strictly forbids any sexual relationships outside marriage. Having more than one wife is better and more dignified than having a number of mistresses. There is no such thing as a mistress in Islamic society. Islam has given dignity to women by marriage and has protected them from the exploitation of greedy and selfish men.

There are several other reasons, why Islam has permitted limited polygyny, but it is mainly to protect the modesty of women.

POLYANDRY

Having more than one husband by a woman is forbidden in Islam. It creates problems rather than solve them.

Question:

If a man is allowed to have more than one wife, then why does Islam prohibit a woman from having more than one husband?

Answer:

Source: http://www.irf.net/irf/faqonislam/index.htm

A lot of people, including some Muslims, question the logic of allowing Muslim men to have more than one spouse while denying the same ‘right’ to women.

Let me first state emphatically, that the foundation of an Islamic society is justice and equity. Allah has created men and women as equal, but with different capabilities and different responsibilities. Men and women are different, physiologically and psychologically. Their roles and responsibilities are different. Men and women are equal in Islam, but not identical.

Surah Nisa’ Chapter 4 verses 22 to 24 gives the list of women with who you can not marry and it is further mentions in Surah Nisa’ Chapter 4 verse 24 "Also (prohibited are) women already married"

The following points enumerate the reasons why polyandry is prohibited in Islam:

1. If a man has more than one wife, the parents of the children born of such marriages can easily be identified. The father as well as the mother can easily be identified. In case of a woman marrying more than one husband, only the mother of the children born of such marriages will be identified and not the father. Islam gives tremendous importance to the identification of parents, mother and father. Psychologists tell us that children who do not know their parents, especially their father undergo severe mental trauma and disturbances. Often they have an unhappy childhood. It is for this reason that the children of prostitutes do not have a healthy childhood. If a child born of such wedlock is admitted in school, and when the mother is asked the name of the father, she would have to give two or more names! I am aware that recent advances in science have made it possible for both the mother and father to be identified with the help of genetic testing. Thus this point which was applicable for the past may not be applicable for the present.

2. Man is more polygamous by nature as compared to a woman.

3. Biologically, it is easier for a man to perform his duties as a husband despite having several wives. A woman, in a similar position, having several husbands, will not find it possible to perform her duties as a wife. A woman undergoes several psychological and behavioral changes due to different phases of the menstrual cycle.

4. A woman who has more than one husband will have several sexual partners at the same time and has a high chance of acquiring venereal or sexually transmitted diseases which can also be transmitted back to her husband even if all of them have no extra-marital sex. This is not the case in a man having more than one wife, and none of them having extra-marital sex.

The above reasons are those that one can easily identify. There are probably many more reasons why Allah, in His Infinite Wisdom, has prohibited polyandry.

More from an Orkut Friend, DANIAL ALI, PAKISTAN.

1) why islam didnt allow women to have multiple husbands

the answer to the question is that of common sense...

a) if a woman was having sex with multiple husbands then how would the father be known (dna tests have only been developed recently)

b) lets say a woman has 3 husbands and all of them want a child at the same time. how would that be possible?? a man can impregnate his 3 wives at the same time and hence fulfill their desire cos theoretically a man can father hundreds of children in a year but a woman, only one.. also multiple husbands would mean most of the womans time spent in making babies for husbands. its for these reasons that multiple marriages for a woman would make no sense and thats the reason islam didnt allow it.

Quran And Science

The Answers are verses of Quran.

AYAT(or ayah)=VERSE

SURAT(or surah)=CHAPTER

First: Q.Who fears God the most?

A:From His human beings, the scholars (experts) indeed awe (fear) Allah. The answer is a translation of Ayat 28 from Surat Fatir.

Q: Does the frightening sound of the thunder mean something? A: And the thunder praises His glory, so do the angels from His awe (fear). And He sends the thunderbolts that strike whom He wants. Yet they argue in Allah and He is a hard plotter (who can punish). Translation (from Arabic into English) of: Ayat 13 Surat AlRa'd.

Q: Are mountains stable in one place? A: You see the mountains and think they are not moving but they pass like the clouds. It's the work of Allah who made everything perfect. Allah is expert with what you do. Translation of: Ayat 88 Surat AlNaml.

Q: If the river pours in a sea, why doesn't the fresh water mix up with the salt water? A: Allah lets flow the two bodies of water, this is fresh water and the other is salty and He made a divider and a forbidden control between them. Translation of: Ayat 53 Surat AlFurkan.

Q: What does Allah do to the shadow? A: Can't you see how your God spread the shadow, and if He wants He could have made it stable (not moving) and then We made the sun a proof for it. Then We easily held it back to Us. Translation of: Ayat 45 Surat AlFurkan.

Q: Why does the shadow move? A: Have not they seen how the shadows of the non-living things that Allah created move to the right and the left, yielding to God by lying flat on the ground in prostration (worship). Translation of: Ayat 48 Surat AlNahl.

Q: What is the human being made of? A: We created the human being from an offspring of clay. Then We made him a sperm in a deep-rooted resting place. Then We created the sperm into a blood clot, then created the clot into a (foetus) lump then we created the lump into bones then We covered the bones with flesh then We made him into another creature so blessed be Allah, the best of creators. Translation of: Ayat 12-14, Surat AlMou'minoun.

Q: Do animals belong to communities? A: There isn't an animal on earth or a bird that flies with its wings but nations like you. We didn't miss in The Book anything then they will come back to their God. Translation of: Ayat 38, Surat AlAna'm.

Q: Is there one sky (heaven)? A:The seven heavens (skies), the earth and all who is there declare His glory. All (created) things praise God but you don't understand their praise. God is tolerant and forgiving. Translation of: Ayat 44 Surat AlIsra'.

Q: Why is the night different from the day? A: And We made the night and the day two wonders then We darkened the wonder of the night and made the wonder of the day with light so that you seek favour from your God and learn the number of years and counting and We classified everything in detail. Translation of: Ayat 12 Surat AlIsra'.

Q: When the birds fly, is it only the gravity that does not pull them down? A: Haven't they seen the birds above them spreading their wings and folding them in, no one holds them up but The Most Merciful (Allah). Indeed He is observant of all things. Translation of: Ayat 19 Surat AlMulk.

Q: When the birds glide (spread their wings in the air without moving them) can that mean something? A: Can't you see how those in the heavens and the earth praise the glory of Allah. Even the birds with their wings spread in a line have known their way of praying and praising. And Allah has infinite knowledge of what they do. Translation of: Ayat 41 Surat AlNoor.

Q: What did God create the animals from? A: Allah created every animal from water. Some of them slither on their bellies, and some of them walk on two legs and some of them walk on four. Allah creates what He wills. Allah is capable of everything. Translation of: Ayat 45 Surat AlNoor.

Q: Has Allah created the world according to a balanced mathematical order? A: He lifted the sky and made the balance. Do not spoil the balance. Set the weight with justice and do not lose the balance. Translation of: Ayat 7-9 Surat AlRahman.

Q: What is the major function of the mountains? A: And He fastened in the earth mountains to protect against the earth shaking with you. And He made rivers and roads so that you might get the right guidance. Translation of: Ayat 15 Surat AlNahl.

Q: Has the Qur'an predicted the man's travel into space? A: You people of Aljin and human beings: If you can penetrate the zones of the heavens and the earth, do penetrate! You will not penetrate without authority (from Allah). So which sign of Allah do you deny? (Otherwise) a flame of fire and copper will be sent on you and you won't win. So which sign of Allah do you deny? Translation of: Ayat 33-36 Surat AlRahman.

Q: Does the size of the land of the earth change? A: Haven't they seen that We reduce the land of the earth from its sides. And Allah rules and there is no reviewer to His rule. And He is quick in judgement. Translation of: Ayat 41 Surat AlRa'd.

Q: Has the science of neurology proved that the human brain becomes dead for some time during the human sleep? A: Allah takes the souls at the time of their death and the souls of those who haven't died during their sleep. Then He holds back those who have died and send the others to a fixed time. Such are the signs for the people who contemplate. Translation of: Ayat 42 Surat AlZumar.

Q: In pre-historic times, were the sky and the earth joined together? A: Haven't those who don't believe in Allah thought that the heavens and the earth were joined together and We separated them. And We made from the water every creature alive, so why they can't have faith. Translation of: Ayat 30 Surat AlAnbiya'.

Q: How do the bees know how to make honey? A: Your God has inspired the bees to make houses in the mountains, trees and what humans raise. Then eat from all the fruits and flowers and follow the channels of your God without difficulty. From their bellies a drink of different colors comes out; in it a healing for people. There is a sign in that for the people who contemplate. Translation of: Ayat 68-69 Surat AlNahl.

Q: Does the Qur'an mention that the body of 'Pharaoh' will be preserved? A:And made the people of Israel cross the sea, so Pharaoh (Phiroun) followed them in tyranny and assault (attack). When he was about to drown he said :" I have faith there is no god but the One in whom the people of Israel have faith and I am from the muslims (submission to God)". Now?! And you rejected before and were from the corruptors. Today We will save your body so as you become a sign to those who come after you and a lot of people are unmindful (careless) about Our signs. Translation of: Ayat 90-92 Surat Yunus.

Q: Do the ants speak in their language? A: Solomon's (Suleiman) soldiers from the jinn, men, and the birds were marshalled for him and they were restrained (stopped). When they reached the valley of the ants, an ant said:" O ants! Enter your dwellings to avoid being crushed by Solomon and his soldiers without their realizing that." So Solomon smiled laughingly from its saying and said:" God allow me to be grateful to your favour which you bestowed on me and my parents and to do good deeds that you accept and admit me in your mercy among your good people". Translation of: Ayat 17-19 Surat AlNaml.

Q: What happens to the clouds before the rain? A: Haven't you seen how Allah moves clouds then He combines them then He makes them in a cumulus (heap). So you can see the rain coming out from them. And He sends down from the sky mountain masses (of clouds) in them hail. So He strikes with it whom He wants and He keeps it away from whom He wants. The flash of its lightning almost takes away the eyesight. He alternates the night and the morning. In this a lesson for those who think. Translation of: Ayat 43-44 Surat AlNoor.

Q: Why doesn't water cover the entire earth? A: And We sent from the sky water according to measurement and We made it stay on earth. And We are capable of taking it away. Translation of: Ayat 18 Surat AlMo'minoun.

Q: Will the history of the first creation be repeated? A: The day We fold the sky like the folding of the book register. As We started the first creation We will repeat it. It is a promise We had undertaken that We are going to do it. Translation of: Ayat 104 Surat AlAnbiya'.

Q: Do the human sperm shape themselves? A: Have you thought about the sperm that you throw out? Do you shape them? It is We who form them (create them into human beings). Translation of: Ayat 58-59 Surat AlWaqi'ah.

Q: What can be the origin of the meteors and meteorites (shooting stars)? A: We had decorated the lower heaven (sky) with the decoration of the stars and to protect the heaven from every rebellious satan (devil) who should not eaves-drop (secretly listen) to the highest assembly (of angels in the heaven) and they (devils) are shot (with meteors) from every side to cast them away and there is a permanent punishment for them. Only who caught a snatch (of the conversation) a sharp meteorite will follow him. Translation of: Ayat 6-10 Surat AlSa'fat.

Q: Is a certain type of apes (monkeys) nowadays the offspring of originally humans? A: And ask them about the village that was near the sea. They used to trespass on the Sabbath. Their whales used to clearly come to them on their Sabbath and on other days they don't come to them. That was how we tested them because of their wrong doing. A group of them said why you advise the people whom Allah will destroy or punish severely. They said it was an apology to God so that they might fear Him. Then when they forgot what they were reminded of We saved those who were forbidding the abuse and inflicted a miserable punishment on those who trespassed because of their wrongdoing. And when they became insolent about what they were forbidden from We said to them be humiliated apes (monkeys). Translation of: Ayat 163-166 Surat AlA'ra'f.

Q: Is the human being superior to other creatures? A: And We had honoured the people of Adam and had carried them on the land and the sea and provided them with good food. And We favoured them a lot upon many of what We created. Translation of: Ayat 7 Surat AlIsra'.

Q: How are the things created by Allah? A: And from everything We created a pair so that you might remember. Translation of: Ayat 49 Surat AlThariyat.

Q: Which is more difficult to create: The Human being or the Sky? A: Are you a more difficult creation or the sky He built? He lifted it very high and He smoothed it. And He darkened its night and brought out its day. Translation of: Ayat 27-29 Surat AlNazi'at.

Q: Is the human being created in stages? A: What's wrong with you that you don't pay Allah His due reverence and He created you in stages. Translation of: Ayat 13-14 Surat Nouh.

Q: What does the Qur'an mention about pregnancy? A: He created you from one soul and then He made from the soul its mate (wife). And He sent down from the livestock eight pairs. He creates you in the wombs of your mothers a shaping after a shaping in three (veils of) darkness. That is Allah your God who owns the universe. No God but Him so to whom you turn away! Translation of: Ayat 6 Surat AlZumar.

Q: Is there a discrepancy (disproportion) in the creation of space? A: (Allah) Who created the seven heavens one above another. You will not see any discrepancy in the creation of The Most Merciful. Then return your vision do you see any crack? Again return your vision a second time your vision will come back to you chased away and regretful. Translation of: Ayat 3 Surat AlMulk.

Q: Why humans can stand up? A: O man, what tempted you away from your God - The Most Generous? Him who created you and put you in order and straightened you out. Translation of: Ayat 6-7 Surat AlInfitar.

Q: Is iron formed on earth or sent down from another place? A: --- And We sent down the iron which has great strength and benefits for people so that Allah knows who supports Him and His prophets without seeing Him. Allah is powerful and almighty. Translation of: Ayat 25 Surat AlHadeed.

Q: When should a mother wean (stop breastfeeding) her infant? A: And We directed the human being to take care of his parents. His mother was pregnant with him: Weakness over weakness and his weaning in two years. You must be grateful to Me (God) and your parents and your destiny is to Me. Translation of: Ayat 14 Surat Luqman.

Q: What happens to humans when they live long? A: And whom We make live long We degenerate him in the creation so won't they understand? Translation of: Ayat 68 Surat Ya'Sin.

Q: Where does the milk that we drink come from? A: And you have in the livestock a lesson. We give you from what is in their bellies from between the digested food and blood pure milk tasteful for the drinkers. Translation of: Ayat 66 Surat AlNahl.

Q: The Qur'an mentions a severe type of punishment by dragging the person who is a sinner and a liar from the forepart of his head. Is the Frontal Lobe (frontal part) of the human brain involved in planning, and controlling speech? A: Can you consider the one who forbids a devoted person from praying --- Can you consider if he lies and turns away? Doesn't he know that Allah is watching. No if he does not stop We will drag him (into fire) by the forepart of his head; a forepart which is lying and sinful. So let him call his society, We will call 'AlZabaniyah' (angels of hell who push the damned into Hell). Never! Do not listen to him and worship and come near (to Allah). Translation of: Ayat 9-10, 13-19 Surat AlAlaq.

Q: Is there light in the sea at 200 meters and below? A: And the deeds of those who have not believed are like a mirage in lowlands, supposed to be water by a thirsty person until he reaches it; he finds nothing and he finds Allah there. So He pays him his account and Allah is swift in taking account. Or like the depths of darkness in a bottomless ocean covered by waves topped by waves topped by clouds: Depths of darkness; One above another. If he stretches his hand, he even cannot hardly see it. And whom Allah does not give light will not have light. Translation of: Ayat 38-40, Surat AlNoor.

Q: Can modern medicine ,during a surgery, replace the lines on the fingertips? A: I do not swear by The Day of Judgement and I do not swear by the repentful soul. Does man think that We will not assemble his bones. Yes! We are capable of making his fingertips (with their lines). Translation of: Ayat 1-4, Surat AlQiyamah.

Q: Is CLONING predicted in the Qur'an? A: Indeed Allah does not forgive who makes partner(s) with Him, and He forgives other than that to whom He wills, and who makes partner(s) with Allah, he had strayed far away from the Right Path. In fact, by excluding Him, they call upon females (goddesses) and in fact they call upon an obstinate rebellious Satan. Allah had cursed him and he (Satan) said: I surely will take a dictated share from your people. And I (Satan) will mislead them and will give them false desires and I will order them to cut the ears of the cattle (livestock), and I will order them and they will change the creation of Allah, and who takes the Satan for a master, leaving Allah, has indeed lost a very clear loss. He (Satan) promises them and gives them false desires and what Satan promises is only a deception. The dwelling of those is The Hell and they will not find a shelter from it. Translation of: Ayat 116-121, Surat AlNisa'.

Source:http://www.in2quran.com/index.html