THIRD REMINDER. Tuesday. THE VALUE OF A WOMAN IN ISLAM. Bismillah. Let's conclude from the second reminder. Which scenario better dignifies and protects women from the two mentioned in the second reminder? Is the first scenario really liberating, or is it humiliating and degrading to the woman’s body, feelings, needs and rights? Is the second scenario really old fashioned and oppressive, or is it dignifying and elevating? If you contemplate this issue with open mind and heart, you’ll realize that Allah doesn’t want for the woman to be abused, sexualized or made easily available, cheap or accessible to men to use as they please. And Allah doesn’t want for the man to be a slave of his desires and commit injustices against himself or others on account of his lusts and physical urges. That’s not real love and that’s not honorable or elevating type of relationships for human beings. Allah says: “And We have certainly honored the children of Aadam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference.” (Qur’an 17: 70). Allah specifically honored us above other creations. But the first scenario for many people seem easier… Fulfilling physical needs is easy; any creature can do that, even those who are below us in rank and are not gifted with intellect or ability to purify and discipline their beings and desires. It’s easy to submit to the basic physical needs. But what Allah and Islam are calling us for is to elevate above the physical and explore meanings that are much deeper, richer and more everlasting than that. Marriage in Islam is more than fulfilment of physical urges. It is peace, mercy and tranquillity to the heart, mind and soul. It is meant to be a journey of intellectual, emotional, spiritual and physical growth and elevation. *_May Allah keep guiding us all and protect us from any satanic influences_*. Aameen.