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PREFACE
In
the following pages, we will be the guests of a happy family
made up of four members. They are: Abu Iman, Umm Iman, Iman
and Omar. Abu Iman is a forty two years old man; Umm Iman is
a lady of thirty five(1). The two got married fifteen years
ago and were graced with a boy and a girl who are: Iman
(whose age is 11) and Omar (whose age is 9).
Umm
Iman and I are relatives. As for her husband [i.e Abu Iman],
he has been a friend of mine for a long time. Thus, during a
family gathering, we discussed children going through the
age of puberty and the difficulty of this age. Umm Iman
asked me some questions and felt a great deal of
embarrassment in so-doing.
I
said to her that Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Be
Upon Him; hereafter (PBBUH), who was a wise educator, used
to give women special guidance. He (PBBUH) used to enjoin
that they be well-treated. Some elements of this injunction
were mentioned in the "Sermon of the Parting"(2), which
underscores the obligation on the part of the Muslims to
take great care of the muslim woman, in all epochs and in
all places. Moreover, during the time of the prophet, women
used to ask him about all the problems and issues that have
arisen for them; so much so that they have asked him (PBBUH)
to accord them a day (during which they could seek his
counsel). He responded positively to their request (Cf. Al-Bukhārī's
SaHīH: kitāb al-mu'allim, bāb 35 (The Book of the Educator,
Chapter 35)). Indeed, Lady Aicha(3)- May Allah Be Pleased
with her- said: "How wonderful are the AnSār's women!(4).
Modesty has not prevented them from seeking deep knowledge
in religious matters." (Cf. Muslim's SaHīH, Chap. 5).(5)
There are many instances in the Sunna (the Prophet's
Tradition) which refer to this (i.e women's specific
problems). As concerns the Holy Quran, we find that
menstruation is mentioned four times and marriage twenty
three times. Indeed, different expressions, all of which
denoting the same meaning -sexual intercourse (or coition)-
are used in it (i.e the Holy Quran) to refer to a marriage
relationship. Of these we can mention the
following:al-mubāsharah (Lit. "proceeding"); al-mulāmasah
(Lit. "touching, palpating"); al-Harth (Lit. "ploughing");
al-rafath (Lit. "obscenity"); al-nikāH (Lit. "marriage");
al-istimtā' (Lit. "enjoyment").
Abu
Iman agreed with what I had said about the discussion of
women's affairs and encouraged his wife to ask me questions
about health and religious matters concerning her and her
daughter. Between your hands is my discussion with Umm Iman,
as it is of benefit for the general public.
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