For centuries women all over the world have been deprived of basic rights and freedoms. Here in North America, it was not until 1963 when pay equity between genders was recognized, a basic right that Islam acknowledged long before. Furthermore, women were under severe prohibitions with respect to pursuing education, owning property, conducting business, and inheriting money, until hundreds of years after Muslim women had established their own personal enterprises through the divine legislation of Islam.

For years here and abroad, often times mass media and the theology of various faiths and religions have perpetuated views towards the degradation of women. Even today in 2012, women from many walks of life continue to experience great challenges amidst man-made laws and ideals resulting in large numbers of women converting to Islam.

Women in Islam

By the mercy of Allah we are honored to present a two day Ilminar titled “Women in Islam”. This 2 day seminar will highlight the unprecedented rights and freedoms Islam gave women 1400 years ago.

The topics will be introduced and examined surrounding four core issues:

1. Instructors will provide clarity and answers to some of the greatest fallacies of our time:

Who has the right to give divorce and why?
Is a single woman’s witness not competent to a single male?
Genuine and authenticated explanation of the Quranic verse 34:4
Menstruation…A curse?
Fairness in the distribution of inheritance.
Hijab: A form of oppression or freedom?
Gender Equity! Does Equality mean Identicality?
And more…

2. Ethical and legal rights related to our mothers, wives, sisters and daughters. Case studies will be examined in order to better understand practical solutions, for example:

Mahmoodah has reached the age of marriage. She is also in the midst of wrapping up her studies. She is under enormous pressure from her parents to get married. She has not come across any suitable man of her liking. She feels her parents do not really care who she gets married to as long as she just gets married. Is it fair and allowed for her to be pressured in this manner?
Aliyah is a married working mother of three children. After a long day of work she is expected to prepare dinner, do the dishes, clean up after the kids, put the kids to bed and make tea for her in-laws. She is tired and exhausted. What does Islam say about this?
Asfa is the sister of Ahmed. Ahmed has learned that his sister is an abusive relationship where she is being treated with cruelty from the time she got married. However Asfa continues to stop her brother from addressing the matter as she fears this will only make her marriage worse. How should this situation be handled?

3. Sisters only workshops conducted by Qualified female instructor(s) .Topics include:

The lessons learnt from the 4 greatest Women
Tips on enhancing the mother-daughter relationship

4. Finally we will briefly touch on the lives of some of Islam’s greatest scholars, who took revolutionary steps to create awareness towards human rights and the rights of women.

A detailed description and schedule of all the sessions will be posted two weeks prior to the program Inshallah.

Who Is this Program for?
This Ilminar is open and will cater towards brothers and sisters of all walks of life. We are confident (with the help of Allah) that this will be amongst the most beneficial courses you have ever taken, empowering you to feel confident in your beliefs and eradicating any misconceptions you may have.

Venue
The program will be held in a classroom setting for both brothers and sisters at Jame Masjid Markham located at 2900 Denison Street, Markham Ontario L3R 4J8. Seating is limited.

Schedule
Wedding or not, we have structured this program in a manner that will allow you to carry on with your regular weekend activities. The general timings for the program are as follows:

Saturday June 2 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday June 3 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

A detailed schedule will be e-mailed after confirmed registration.

Instructors
Shaykh Ibrahim Madani
Shaykh Sufyan Chhapra
Shaykh Fayaz Tilly
Shaykh Imran Khan
Shaykh Omar Subedar
Shaykh AbuBakr Mulla
Shaykh Hassen Ahmed
Ustaadah Umm Zainab (tentative)

Admission  Only $15* includes:

Lunch both days
The priceless experience of seeking knowledge in the presence of learned scholars

*$25 after May 27th 2012

Additional material will be available for purchase.

For any further assistance you may contact servantsofallah1@gmail.com

Surely Allah does not forgive that a partner be ascribed to Him, although He forgives any other sins for whomever He wills.
He who associates anyone with Allah in His Divinity has indeed forged a mighty lie and committed an awesome sin. Surah An-Nisa [4:48]

“O you who have believed, if you support Allah , He will support you and plant firmly your feet.” (Quran 47:7)

To read more Beautiful Ayahs & Hadiths on the go download the new HOTD app here http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/hadith-of-the-day/id480437544?mt=8 or Search Hadith of the Day in the App Store!

In Islam Every Day is “MOTHERS DAY”

One day a man came to see the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. It seemed that he was trying to solve something but couldn’t quite work it out. So he asked the Prophet. ”Tell me, O Prophet!” I have many relatives and many friends whom I love, and whom I wish to care for and help. But I often find it difficult to decide which of them has the greatest claim upon me? Which of them should come first?” The Prophet replied immediately, ”Your mother should come first and before all others.”

The man was very pleased to have this clear guidance from the Prophet. But of course there were all his other relatives and his friends, so he asked ”and after my mother, who has the greatest claim upon me?” The Prophet’s reply this second time surprised him. ”Your mother!” he said again.

The man wondered why the Prophet was repeating himself. Perhaps he had not spoken clearly, the man thought, so he asked the question again, ”What I want to know is, after my mother, who has the greatest claim upon me? Again the Prophet said ”your mother!” Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him said:
Your Mother, Your Mother, Your Mother!

The Prophet had now said it three times. Slowly, the man realized why he had done so. ”The Prophet means that my mother is extremely important, so much so that my duty to her must be stressed over and over again. Even so, the man’s thoughts ran on, ”what about all the others I love and wish to care for?” Still uncertain and wanting to know more, he once again turned to the Prophet and said, ”and after my mother, who comes after her? Is there anyone besides her?” The Prophet then replied ”after your mother, your father.” ”And then?” asked the man. ”Then people who are nearest to you,” said the Prophet. Allah’s peace and blessings be upon the Prophet.

Abu Hurayrah [Radi-Allahu anhu] said: The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “The Hour will not pass until time is shortened, a year will be like a month, a month will be like a week, a week will be like a day, a day will be like an hour, and an hour will be like the burning of a stalk of palm fibres.”
[Ahmad]