My dear sister in Islam, who do you look up to when it comes to your femininity? Do the names - Nusaybah, Rufaidah or Atikah sound familiar to you? If yes, then that's good but if they don't then maybe it is time we change perspectives in this life. Indeed, with the emergence of a lot of muslim sisters stepping up in podiums and walking down the streets for rallies to "voice" out their rights or influencers who start to remove their hijab down to fashion gurus making hijab a fashion rather than a code of modesty is quite alarming. Why is it that there seem to be a need for sisters to show their faces in mixed gatherings? Why is that there seem to be a need for our munaqqabah sisters to post videos of them while sharing some ahadith or qur'anic ayats or even advices and tips to remind Muslims about Islam? Why is that there seem to be a need for a simple sister to register or sign up in platforms that let anonymous people send them questions or messages? Why is that there seem to be a need for us to open doors for fitnah? Indeed, when haya goes - everything goes. _____ My dear sisters in Islam, some of the greatest women who ever walked in this earth or ever lived never had a single photo of them posted but look at the legacy that they have left in this world? Generation after generation still look up to them and take inspiration from their lives. And don't we all agree, that the bottom line of why we want to be famous and are willing to forsake our haya is so that we become known or that we may be seen as someone who did something for the ummah? My dear sister, for sure you think you are doing something for the ummah and I am pretty sure it is not something that would benefit you in your akhirah. I don't want to make this a very long post but here are some nice points that maybe would make you rethink of the route you're taking in life. Nusaybah Bint Ka'ab Radiyallahu Anha was famously known for her valor and courage as she was known to have fought during the Battle of Uhud protecting the Prophet ﷺ - it was said that she kept protecting the Prophet until she was injured. But did you know when she took allegiance in the night of Aqabah, she didn't shake hands with the Prophet ﷺ, not only because the Prophet ﷺ did not shake hands with women but because she knew honor comes from Allah not by shaking hands with men. - and look how Allah honored her throughout her remaining life. [1] Rufaidah Al Islamiyyah Radiyallahu Anha was famously known for her intelligence and love for science as she was known to be the first woman or nurse of Islam. She treated the wounded in every battle that the Prophet ﷺ participated. She was so famous that her tent was known as Rufaidah's tent. But did you know whenever she would tend to the Muslims, she still would highly observe her hijab and protect her haya because she knew honor comes from Allah not by forsaking your hijab for a worldly career. [2]
Atikah Bint Zaid Radiyallahu Anha was famously known as the Wife of the Martyrs - pretty interesting, right? Well, this was because Allah honored her with not just one but four of the greatest sahabah as her husbands - yet one by one she lost them to martyrdom. But did you know whenever she would lost a husband, she did not falter in her worship rather she would ran towards Allah. She never once thought of going into depression or forsaking an honor that Allah has given her (hijab) because she knew that honor and peace only comes from Allah. [3] These are just brief examples of women who contributed a lot to Islam yet never forsaken their haya rather they protected it because they all knew it is an honor that was given by Allah. Nusaybah fought in battles, Rufaidah tended to the wounded who fought in battles, Atikah nurtured and been with those who died in battles for the sake of Allah. These women honored Islam through their valor, courage, intelligence and care all within the bounds of having haya - never by forsaking it. Protecting your haya in this trying times is a battle in itself. It is true, that platforms that can easily devour you of letting go of your haya are in a rise but this doesn't give you any reason to do so. Realize your worth as a Muslim woman, and remember how Allah has raised your status and honored you by choosing you to be a Muslim. This world is temporary. This world is cruel and sometimes it takes everything from you. Haya is your covering, so protect it because once you lose this covering - everything will follow - because you are stripping off the honor that Allah has gifted you. So, don't strip that off. Do not be so fond of this world that you would do things just so your name could be famous rather work towards your Hereafter and do your best to be famous in the heavens by worshipping and pleasing Allah - because if you do want to be famous then do deeds that would make Allah mention your name in the Heavens. _____ May this be a reminder to all my muslim sisters and may this be an eye opening moment for you to rethink of your actions. May we all look up to women who knows where real honor comes from. Amin Zohayma _____ Stories were taken from: [1] Sunan Ibn Majah 2874 [2] Bath Al Bari 8/419 [3] Al-Isaba fi tamyiz al-Sahaba Vol. 8 | al-Asqalani Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir Vol. 3 & 8 | Ibn Saad
