Special place women hold should never be forgotten

Islam commands care and attention for ‘our sisters’

Praise the role of women in society and remember their courage and strength as is demanded by Allah, mosque-goers will hear today.

This week’s sermon will begin with the imam telling worshippers that Islam commands us to give special care and attention to our sisters as their role in families and society is an important one.

The faithful will know the story of Moses, whose mother put him in the river to protect him from the pharoah, and his sister sacrificed herself to guarantee her brother’s well-being.

Moses’ sister convinced the family of the pharoah to allow her to take care of her brother. Her efforts in rescuing Moses were recorded and appreciated by Allah.

After Moses became a Prophet, Allah reminded him of his sister’s sacrifice. The Almighty said: “[ and We favoured you] when your sister went and said, ‘Shall I direct you to someone who will be responsible for him?’” Taha: 40

For this reason, honouring sisters was part of the guidance of the Prophet Mohammed. The imam will remind mosque-goers of women’s rights in the Quran, including proper inheritance and their social status.

They will also hear that kindness towards their sisters is key and that simple gestures of gift-giving and good manners are some of the ways to spread happiness in society and between believers. The Prophet Mohammed praised such manners when he said: “The upper hand is that of the one who gives in charity. One should start giving first to his dependents; your parents, your sister, your brother and then your closest relatives according to the order (of closeness).”

Moreover, the Prophet urged men to look after their sisters, provide for them and offer them the same amount of love and compassion offered to their daughters. “Whoever looks after two daughters or sisters, or three sisters until they get married, or he dies before that, he and I will be as these two (And he joined his two fingers).”

That is: he will be among the dwellers of paradise, attaining the highest ranks therein in the company of the Prophet. Among other acts of goodness towards sisters is standing by and offering help at times of difficulty and showing diligence in finding solutions to problems.