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Verses of
the Qur'an
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Ahadith of the Holy Prophet
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Concessions Given by the Qur'an and Hadith
I ‑ VERSES OF THE QUR'AN
The women have been
granted certain concessions and exemptions from some religious duties
and family obligations.
Relevant verses of the Holy Book are:‑
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(Fasting)
for a fixed. number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey,
the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later. For those who
can do it (with hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one, that is
indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free‑will ‑ it is
better for him, and it is better for you, that ye fast, if ye only knew.
(2:184)
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They ask
thee concerning women's courses. Say: They are a hurt and a pollution:
so keep away from women in their courses, and do not approach them until
they are clean. But when they have purified themselves, ye may approach
them in any manner, time, or place ordained for you by Allah. For Allah
loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep
themselves pure and clean. (2:222)
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In it are
signs manifest; (for example), the Station of Abraham; whoever enters it
attains security; pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah,‑ those
who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in
need of any of His creatures. (3:97)
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O ye who
believe! when the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday (the Day of
Assembly), hasten earnestly to the Remembrance of Allah, and leave off
business (and traffic): that is best for you if ye but knew! (62:9),
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II ‑
AHADITH OF THE PROPHET
Ahadith of
the Holy Prophet (PBUH) on this subject are:
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Mu'azah
AI‑Adawiyyah reported that she asked ‘Ayesha: what is the order for a
menstruating woman who fulfils her past fast but does not fulfil her
prayer? `Ayesha said: That affected us and we were ordered to fulfil
past fast while we were not ordered to fulfil past prayer. (Muslim)
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Anas‑b‑Malek
al Ka'bi reported that the Apostle of Allah said: Allah has put down
half the prayer from a traveller and fast from a traveller and from a
suckling woman and from a pregnant woman. (Abu Daud, Tirmizi, Nisai and
Ibn Majah)
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Ayesha
reported: We came out with the Prophet. We did not talk except without
Hajj. When we came to Saraf, I perceived menstruation. The
Prophet came while I was weeping. He said: Perhaps you are menstruating.
"Yes" replied I. He said that is a thing which Allah ordained for the
daughters of Adam. So do what a pilgrim does without going round the
House till you become pure. (Bukhari, Muslim)
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Tariq‑b‑Shahab
reported that the Messenger of Allah said: Jumu'ah is a duty
binding upon every Muslim in congregation except upon four:slave, woman,
boy or sick man. (Abu Daud)
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Ibn Umar
reported that the Messenger of Allah said: Don't prevent your women from
going to the mosques, and their houses are better for them. (Abu Daud)
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Ibn
Abbas reported: It was revealed to the Messenger of Allah:Your wives are
a tilth for you. So come to your tilth as you like . ....and guard
against menstruation. (Ibn Majah, Tirmizi)
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'Ayesha
reported: I asked: O, Messenger of Allah! Is there any Jihad for
women? "Yes" replied he, "there is for them Jihad wherein there
is no fighting ‑ Hajj and Umrah. (Ibn Majah)
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Ibn `Abbas
reported: The people were commanded (by the Holy Prophet) to perform the
last circumambulation round the House, but menstruating women were
exempted. (Muslim)
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III ‑
CONCESSIONS GIVEN BY QUR'AN AND HADITH
Islam
enjoins upon every Muslim man and woman to perform the basic religious
obligations like prayer, Zakat, Hajj and Fast. However, the
Qur'an and Sunnah have given certain concessions to the women in
matters of performance of these religious obligations in certain
situations.
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A
menstruating woman is exempted from prayer during her period of
impurity.
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A woman
during her menstruation period is exempted from fasting in the month of
Ramadan, though she has to fast the same number of days
afterwards.
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A suckling
woman and a pregnant woman can benefit from the concession given to sick
from fasting by the Qur'an vide verse 184 of chapter 2.
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During
menses a woman is not obliged to perform certain rituals of Hajj
like Tawaf (circumambulation of the House).
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Jumu'ah (Friday) prayer is obligatory for the man but not for the
woman. It is optional for her.
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It is
optional for the woman to say her prayers in the mosque or in her house.
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In case
of foreign invasion, it is the duty of every healthy male Muslim adult
to participate in Jihad for defence of the Islamic state. But it
is not obligatory for a Muslim woman to participate in
Jihad.
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During her
menses, a woman is also exempted from performance of her marital
obligations..
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