A
MUSLIM WOMAN AND FREE TIME
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Free time. Everyone seems to wish they had more of it. Being a wife and the
mother of seven children I have often thought to myself that if only I had some
free time I would... What would I do? Here we come to a universal truth about
free time. It is used in one of two ways. Either it is put to good use or it is
wasted, sometimes in sinful use. Of course, we will all agree that performing
some sort of 'ibaadah would be the ideal use of free time. However, we often
forget that the performance of 'ibaadah is the very reason for our life on
earth. Allah, ta'aalaa says:
"I have not created jinn and humans except so that they may worship." [Adh-Dhaariyaat
56]
Allah did not create humans without reason. Nor did He create them for the sake
of spending their time in pointless activity. He created them for 'ibaadah in
the complete meaning of 'ibaadah - worship of Him as the one Almighty Lord of
the Worlds. 'Ibaadah refers not just to ritual, physical, and mental acts of 'ibaadah
such as salaah, siyaam, zakaah, and Hajj. These are the arkaan of 'ibaadah. The
true and complete meaning of the word 'ibaadah includes much more. As Ibn
Taymiyyah puts it, 'ibaadah is "a comprehensive word that refers to all
that Allah loves and all that pleases Him."
So how does all this tie in with a woman and free time? If we examine the
question and take a deeper look at exactly how 'ibaadah is performed in a
woman's life, the desire for "free time" takes on a new meaning.
Adh-Dhahabee related in Sayr A'laam An-Nubalaa from Asmaa bint Yazeed ibn As-Sakan
(radiallahu 'anhaa) that she went to the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam)
and said, "O Messenger of Allaah, may my father and mother be sacrificed
for you. I have come to you on behalf of the women. Verily Allaah has sent you
to men and women. We have believed in you. We do not go out and we remain in
your homes. We are your source of physical pleasure. We carry your children. A
man goes out to pray jum'ah and jamaa'ah, and follows the janaazah. And if you
go out for hajj, or 'umrah, or jihaad, we look after your wealth. We wash your
clothing. We raise your children. Shall we not share in the reward?"
The Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) turned to his Companions and said,
"Have you ever heard anything a woman has said better than what she has
said?" Then he said to her, "Understand O woman, and inform the
other women. Indeed a woman's perfection of her relationship with her husband,
her seeking his pleasure, and doing that which he approves of is equivalent to
all of that." Asmaa left exclaiming "Laa ilaaha illallaah.
"
Here, the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) explains an important aspect of
'ibaadah which applies uniquely to women. He informs us of the way to her
success and how she has been granted this distinguished form of worship, one
that many of us complain about. It is equivalent to jihaad, praying jum'ah and
jamaa'ah. It is commensurate to participating in the janaazah, performance of
hajj and 'umrah. This 'ibaadah is the perfection of her relationship with her
husband her seeking his pleasure, obeying him, and doing that which he approves
of. It is the caring for her children and her home and remaining within her
home. Allah, ta'aalaa, in His incomparable mercy, has provided her with other
deeds which replace those deeds that men usually perform, so that she may
achieve equal reward.
One might argue that most all women participate in these actions on a daily
basis, even the disbelieving women. However, the concerns of a Muslim woman are
nobler. She sets her sights high in her actions. She is aware that her every
act, when performed Islamically, is an expression of her worship of Allaah,
ta'aalaa. What is it that makes a woman wish for free time? Usually it is a need
for a more personal time period wherein she may direct her energies into
something that she would individually benefit from and enjoy. There is nothing
wrong with this and indeed, when done with the correct intention, this too falls
into 'ibaadah. However, the waste of free time is an evil that many of us
succumb to. The world is filled with opportunities for us to waste our time.
Shaytaan whispers here and there and before you know it we've intended well but
failed to follow through. All of us are prone to wasting our time or failing to
take opportunities to use our time well. This is how it happens:
Tasweef - Putting things off until "later". It is very easy to
fall into a rut of aspiring to do good while not putting forth a sincere effort.
Success in doing good things with our time is much like repentance. Is
repentance sincere if you just think about it, express your desire to repent,
and then say, "Oh, maybe I'll repent next month"? Similarly, if you
wish to memorize Qur-aan, or further your knowledge, but continually put your
efforts on a back burner, you've fallen into tasweef. In order to succeed at
something we must first rectify our intention, then make sure that the thing we
are aspiring to is in accordance with the Qur-aan and Sunnah, and finally we
must step forward with a firm foot. We must be serious in our commitment.
Going Out. Affairs outside our home can be harmful as well as haraam. Would
you even think that going shopping could fall into this? Don't be surprised.
Islam directs that a woman is primarily meant to remain in her home. She may
come out for her needs. If she goes out, according to the conditions of the
sharee'ah, for a need which her husband cannot fulfill for her, then there is
nothing against that. But, sometimes we fall into a western mentality of role
sharing. Now there is nothing wrong with a husband helping his wife out and
vice-versa. However, a woman taking over responsibilities of the husband with
the intention of "making things easier on him" is skirting on the
questionable. This is particularly so when we talk of shopping and other such
needed but not always necessary tasks. A better way would be to organize herself
and her household affairs and that of her children by simplifying her lifestyle
and cutting back on the unnecessary.
A Muslim woman's constant going to the markets to make the household purchases
and her desire to do so is wrong. Some women have no intention to purchase
anything. They just want to walk around the market and see what's new. Maybe
there's a new style, new material, something nice. So she has no true need to go
out. And we know the hadeeth of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) who
said, "If a woman goes out of her home Shaytaan will attract
attention to her presence." [At-Tirmidhi Saheeh] meaning he will
draw attention to her presence and make use of the opportunity either in
tempting her or tempting others through her. If a woman remains in her home then
shaytaan cannot do this. The Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) also said
that if a woman goes out of her home she "appears in the form of a
shaytaan and she leaves in the form of shaytaan." [Muslim] How? The
scholars have said that shaytaan comes to those who are before her and make her
coming out appear attractive to those who are looking. And when she leaves he
makes her appear attractive to those who are present and see her leaving. So she
causes people to look at her and she causes their temptation. Allaah, ta'aalaa
and His Messenger, sallaallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, have ordered us to remain in
our homes and to come out only for true need to do so.
"And remain in your homes" are the words of Allaah addressed to
the believing women and the wives of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam).
The word in the aayah, "qarna" means to remain and adhere. Allaah has
ordered the woman to adhere, to stay, and not merely to it, in her home. She
should accustom herself to staying home and not going out. And if she does go
out she should feel uncomfortable in doing so. A sign of eemaan of a true
believing woman is her feeling that her home is where she belongs. And a sign of
a diseased heart is that of a woman who feels uncomfortable staying at home.
Examine your heart for the stirrings of disease. Treat yourself by applying
Allaah's command. By rectifying our hearts contentment can be bred and truly
appreciated.
The Telephone. Ah, the telephone. A wonderful invention it was, without
doubt. It did away with a lot of travel, sending messages by hand, and
unexpected visitors. But it also brought us the opportunity for wasting large
blocks of our time and, sometimes, committing serious sin such as talking about
things that are none of our business. A telephone does indeed fulfill a need for
us as women. It provides us with an opportunity to "visit" with our
friends and family without leaving our homes. We can share a cup of tea with a
friend as a relaxation from the occupation of daily chores. But, it can also
steal valuable time that can be put to more beneficial use. Use it with
attention and care or you will find that it will use you.
Music and Singing: Allaah, ta'aalaa says:
"And befool them gradually those whom you can among them with your voice,
[i.e. songs, music, and any other call for Allaah's disobedience] make assaults
on them with your cavalry and your infantry." 17:64
"And of mankind is he who purchases idle talk [music, singing, etc.]"
31:6
In explaining this aayah Ibn Mas'ood said: "Wallaahi Laa ilaaha illaa
huwa this refers to music and singing." The Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi
wa sallam) said, "There will come among my nation a group of people
making permissible the wearing of silk (for men) the drinking of wine, and the
usage of musical instruments." [Al-Bukhaari] This was pointing to
the fact that such deeds were originally forbidden but would be made permissible
in later times by those who stray from the correct path. I'm sure we can all
agree that Allaah has not forbidden a thing except for the corruption or harm
that it contains. Now, there may be Muslims that listen to music for pleasure.
If you are one of them, I advise you to research the subject to learn of its
impermissibility and work on your eemaan. A mu'min would turn to Qur'aan for
such pleasure. I like to believe that most Muslims do not listen to music but
rather find it an unintentional part of their lives - on the radio, while
listening to the news, computer software, and the like.
If you are truly benefiting from such things, don't fall into the neglectful
habit of not turning the sound down whenever music comes on. It's so easy to do
- to just sit there and think that it will stop in a minute. This occurs a lot
with children, especially with computer software and video games. If they can't
use them without the sound and the sound is full of music then maybe the actual
benefit should be reconsidered. Sooner or later we will tire of turning it down
or having to constantly say, "Turn down the music!" And, sooner or
later, we will find music a constant element of our lives. Sooner or later.
Gossip and Backbiting: Most of us have, at one time or another chewed the
flesh of someone. It may have been an enemy or a friend, an acquaintance, a
supervisor, or an employee, or even our own spouse or child. Gossip and
backbiting are nasty deeds and they can become habitual. Though not restricted
to females, it is notoriously recurrent in us. We have a reputation for it. We
fall into it easily. And again, it is usually idle time, time not well spent,
that is the trap laid into which we place our wagging tongues. When we call a
sister just to talk, how many times do our conversations turn to the affairs of
others? When this happens do we forbid what is wrong and command what is right?
Do we discuss shared secrets under the pretense of seeking advice When we call
or go to visit do we start with good intent but fall into talk that rings with
"Did you hear?" "Can you believe that she?" and
"So-and-so said this and that." Often talk enters into the perimeters
of the haraam, causing us to use our free time in an extremely detrimental way.
Even our silence to its occurrence is an abuse of time for which we are
accountable.
Films and Television: This is a particularly dangerous tool of learning and
change. Audio/video anything has the incredible ability of making lasting
impressions in the mind and upon the soul. Mannerisms, morals, and beliefs can
be culled from them. If exposure is continuous the influence can begin to be
seen within a very short period of time, in changes of belief as well as in the
amount of time spent viewing. Don't fool yourself into thinking that children
are the only ones who are impressionable and susceptible. Adults can be just as
easily influenced and addicted. Now, consider this view of films and television
shows, given by the lecturer Sa'eed bin Misfir Al-Qahtaanee.
"A film or a show is basically a story. A liar called a writer or producer
writes it. After he writes it he approaches a group of other liars and actors
with the intent to perform and bring the story to life. You play this role and
you perform this part. You're the mother, you play the father, you the son, and
so on, and they sit together for two, three, or four months to produce the story
and present it to the people. And then people spend long stretches of time
sitting together following the story as if it were true while in reality it is a
lie. Actually a person shouldn't even be looking at it. . . They even have a way
of capturing the viewers attention by leaving them in suspense at the end of the
show so that they will make it a point to watch the next show."
Granted, there are possibilities for useful and permissible use of television
and video. But the concern is in that which is, without question, forbidden. Ask
yourself, "Am I watching or listening to things that I really, Islamically,
should not?" Am I using my time well in doing so?
We are left with the subject of how to use our free time beneficially. The world
is filled with activities. How do we choose who, what, when, and where and at
the same time reassure ourselves of why? Here are a few principles
that can put some perspective and equilibrium into our lives.
Fear Allaah. Place this feeling into everything that you approach in your
life. Keep in mind the pillars of our Deen - not just that of Eemaan and Islam
but particularly of Ihsaan - "to worship Allaah as if you see Him
and, though you cannot see Him, know that He sees you" [Mutafaqun 'alaih].
What a powerful statement! Make it words to live by. Also remember that our
entire lives and the world around us is a test. Know that you will be asked how
you spent your time, your money, your health, and your wealth. Allaah, ta'aalaa
tells us in Soorat Al-Kahf:
Indeed We have made that which is on earth as an adornment for it, in order that
We may test them (mankind) as to which of them are best in deeds. 18:7
Pay attention to your life and the outlook you put into your day-to-day
activities. Allaah observes us. He knows our every movement. We should consider
this observance and emphasize our awareness of Allaah. If we fear Allaah and
maintain our consciousness of Him we will be more responsible with our time and
our use of it.
Be Responsible and Responsive. As women we have varying circumstances and
situations within the folds of our lives and our responsibilities vary
accordingly. First and foremost we are responsible to Allaah. All of our
obligations in life are subjective to this. If we could only keep this is mind
most things would fall into place and much wrong avoided. But sometimes we
overindulge ourselves in personal desires causing us to neglect areas of
responsibility to the point that we step over the bounds of right into wrong.
The fabric of our lives is as different and varying as fingerprints. Some of us
are married though others are not. We may live all alone or within an extended
family home. You may have a child or two, others have a houseful, while even
others have none. Therein each of us will find a different balance of
responsibilities and a varying amount of free time. If you were to list all of
the responsibilities that you have as a woman you might feel a bit exasperated.
However, the key is not in making a "To Do" list but more a reminder
to be responsive to those things around you that need you.
For example, a baby has a right to the breastmilk that Allah has created for its
nourishment. A mother has an obligation to offer it. But the responsive part of
this relationship is recognizing that the child needs not just the milk but the
loving, caring warmth, the emotional cradling, the comforting nipple of his
mother's breast. A relationship of physical contact and emotion is created and
needed, one for which a bottle is a poor replacement. A baby is not aware of the
nutritional difference that mother's milk provides over other milks. But she is
aware of the difference in comfort, closeness, and affinity that she feels when
she nurses from her mother's own milk. By looking beyond the "right"
and "obligation" aspects of our lives and turning our minds to the
benefit, reward, and fulfillment that can be gained by living out our
responsibilities we can find pleasure and satisfaction in things that are
otherwise done without attention or enjoyment. In the patchwork of our lives we
will find that there is blessing in whatever Allaah has given us if we only look
for it, nurture it, and give it its due. The more responsive we are to our
individual blessings, the more benefit we will gain. Be responsive to the daily
situations that Allaah places you in. Act and react with full awareness of your
duties to all aspects of your life and the people and things within it. Stop and
ask yourself if you are truly fulfilling the rights of Allaah, the rights of
others, and the rights of yourself.
Keep Good Company. Most of us have a "best friend". She (or even
he) is the one whom we call and discuss our innermost feelings and concerns
with, the one with whom we share our day-to-day happenings and thoughts, the one
whom we turn to for advice. No wonder the Prophet, sallaallaahu 'alayhi wa
sallam said, "A person follows the faith of his friend. Therefore,
consider with whom you make friends." [Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi] A
good companion is one who will listen, yet stop you if you gossip. She will
encourage you toward good when you incline toward evil. She will tell you that
you are wrong when you need to hear it. She will remind you of Allah and remind
you to remember Him. She will prohibit you from disobedience to Him. And perhaps
most importantly, she will do this without fear of losing you as a friend just
as you, if you are worthy of such a companion, will accept it with a good heart
and thank Allah for the blessing of such a good friend.
Identify Your Weaknesses and Desires. All of us have them. Some of us
control them. Many of us indulge in them. It could be talking on the phone,
e-mailing friends, going shopping, social engagements, an outside job, even
going out for da'wah or education. Any one of these activities has the potential
to turn into a platform for misuse of time and neglect of responsibility. As
part of a balanced life there is no harm in participating in any or all of these
things as long as they involve nothing forbidden. But if they overshadow or
negatively affect the other areas of your life, particularly those things that
are obligations, you could be setting yourself up for some major questioning on
the Day of Judgment. Sit with yourself and examine where and how you spend your
time. Often we may find that we give an abundance of our time to things that are
beneficial but not really necessary while other areas of our lives are not being
cared for properly. Single out those things that seem to dominate your life.
Examine them for their value. Are you sacrificing time from other obligations in
your life to make room for them? Does it affect your relationships with the
people in your life? We don't have to give up the things we enjoy. We just need
to maintain the equilibrium that is necessary to balance the many balls that we
choose to juggle.
Free time is a luxury that most of us enjoy and would appreciate more of. But in
doing so we must keep in mind that every second that ticks by comes to an end
and does not return until we are called to account for it. Spend your time well
as it is stated so superbly by the Lord of the Worlds:
By al-'Asr (Time) Verily mankind is in loss, Except those who believe, and do
good righteous deeds, and those who enjoin one another to truth
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