SECOND REMINDER. Tuesday. THE VALUE OF A WOMAN IN ISLAM. Bismillah. The dignity of human beings and especially the dignity of women is something that is utterly valued and highly sanctified in Islam. A woman’s womb in Arabic ‘rahm’ is extracted from the name of Allah Himself ‘ArRahman’ (The Most Merciful). This is a sign of elevation and closeness the woman has with The Creator Himself, The King of kings, the Giver of Life. Allah chose women to be the carriers of life into existence and this is an honorable position. Wherever she is, the woman must be taken care of, protected and honored. If she is in her dad’s house, then raising her and spending on her is an act of worship for him that he’ll be rewarded for by Allah. If she is in her husband’s house, then spending on her and treating her kindly and gently are acts of worship for him that he’ll be rewarded for by Allah. This is all in the most authentic narrations of this religion. When Islam came, it empowered women with rights and dignity, something that was abused in their time. And that’s not in pre-Islam time only … it seems to be in our time today as well! One manifestation of this is the idea of girlfriends/boyfriends and having premarital relations. Some think that this is liberating for women, and they blame Islam/Muslims for being uptight or oppressive. But let’s think about this together. Honestly and objectively, which is a more dignified scenario: That a woman gives her body, emotions, time and care freely to someone who can enjoy all that and leave her whenever he wants without owing her anything or committing to her in anyway or giving her any rights… Or That a woman’s body, feelings and needs are sanctified and guarded by The Creator Himself; if someone wishes to enjoy her, then he has to testify before Allah and witnesses and provide a contract stating that he will be responsible for providing her with her financial needs, emotional needs, physical needs and legal rights. And if any harm or injustice is inflicted on her by him, then he will be held accountable for it before The Creator on The Day of Judgment. Make a choice. To be continued in Shaa Allah. May Allah keep guiding us all and protect us from any satanic influences. Aameen.