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should support her financially until she gets married. As quoted by
AbC Masi7d al-Aniarl', the Prophet said: "When a Muslim spends something
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on his family intending to receive Allah's reward, it is regarded as
Sadaqa (a good'deed) for him. " 1A
good education should be provided
for them as well as their brothers with due attention to a proper
standard of morals., Emphasis was laid upon not merely the
familiarity with the words of Islam but also putting its teachings
into practice to find the proper way' of life. In the Prophet's saying,
"Seeking knowledge is compulsory for every Muslim. " 2 The literal
meaning of the word Muslim is a 'male Muslim', however, there is unanimos
agreement among Islam ic scholars that the word here refers to all
Muslims, male and female so that women, although not mentioned
3
explicitly are also enjoined to seek knowledge. Moreover, during
the time of the Prophet it is clear - as we shall discuss in the
third chapter - that women had the opportunity to express their own
views regarding both material and religious affairs, encourage by
the Prophet himself. There were mnay Hadiths which show how women
were keen to hold fast to their religion, to participate in it and
even to act as teachers. For examp e, Abu Said al Khidri told that
some women requested the Prophet to fix a day for them (to come and
learn from him) as the man were taking all his time. He promised
them one day on which he would teach the women religious lessons
and commandments. 4
This Hadith where the Prophet made special
provision for women to learn, is a strong evidence for the fact that
Islam did not confine teaching and learning to men only. The special
responsibility of the woman to learn is well explained in this Hadith:
1. See al-Bukhari,, Vol. 7, P. 201
2. Ibid
3. Shiýat'ah-j op. cit., -
. P. 73
4. See Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, P. 80 and 81
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