Umme Ammarah (Allah be pleased with her) a very prominent Sahabiyat, once asked the Prophet (peace be upon him), “Why is it so, Allah addresses only men in the Qur’an, though we have also believed in Him?” The women were worried why Allah was ignoring them and soon the following verse was revealed says Tirmidhi’s Sahih Hadith.
Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward (Al-Ahzab , verse 35)
Another Hadith again from Tirmidhi and Nasai’:Umm e Salamah (Allah be pleased with her) said, “I asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) as to why are women not addressed in the Qur’an like the way men are? He was quiet so I went to my room and took a bath. Then as I was oiling my hair and combing my hair I heard a sound in the Masjid and wondered what would be the announcement? I came to the front room to hear it. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was announcing, “O women! Allah has addressed you too in his Book” and he recited the above verse.
Ten Greatest characteristics discussed in the verse that can get all the sins of believers forgiven:
‘Muslims men and Muslim women’
and Allah does not refer to those Muslims with identity cards as Muslims. The real Muslim is one who submits himself to the command of Allah and His messenger without any objections or doubts. It is an unconditional surrender to Shariah even if it appears that you have to lose something from your life, your wealth or children.
A very beautiful example of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) is narrated in the Qur’an where he says to his young and only son Ismail (Peace be upon him), that he had seen a dream where his is slaughtering him.Ismail (peace be upon him) did not hesitate even for a moment. He said to his father, “If Allah has commanded you then where is the need to consult me.”
Both of them submitted themselves ( to the command of Allah) and went ahead with the sacrifice of Ismail. When the son was laid down for the sacrifice, Allah sent a sheep for slaughter and appreciated their Emaan and obedience. This is called a Muslim. Now we refer to the first characteristic again, “Muslim men and Muslim women,” means those Muslims who submit their will to the Will of Allah and His Messenger without any hesitation even if it means to stand up again the rituals of forefather or our own desires.
Being a born Muslim is one thing and remaining a Muslim ( by submitting your will to the will of Allah ) is another thing. It was asked to the prophet (peace be upon him), “Who is a Muslim.” He replied, “ One from whose hands and tongue, other Muslims are safe.”
In another Hadith of Bukhari, Jibrael (Peace be upon him) asked the Prophet, “What is Islam?” He replied, “To bear witness that there is no deity worthy to be worshipped except Allah and to bear witness that Muhammad is His Worshipper and His Messenger, offering five compulsory prayers, giving Zakat, Fasting in Ramadhan and performing Hajj if one has the capacity to.
Believing men and Believing women
There is no shortage of so called Mo’min in our community. Islam is connected to actions and Emaan is connected to Creed. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked, “What is Emaan?” He replied, To believe in Allah, His Messengers, the Last day, His Angels, His Books and Qadr. These are six pillars of Faith.Touhid is the first and foremost. It should be uncorrupted and saved from Shirk, Kufr, Biddah as well as Hypocrisy. The Prophet (peace be upon him)was asked, “Which is the best deed?” He replied, “To believe in Allah and His Messenger.”
The Devoutly Obedient men and Devoutly Obedient women
It refers to people who are constantly steadfast in obeying Allah. Obedience in Islam is not a part time work unlike some, who obey Allah in the month of Ramadhan and for the rest of the year they follow and obey Shaytan. Many brothers do not even care for prayers except on Friday and some are even extreme careless about personal hygiene too.
The Truthful Men and the Truthful Women
Speaking truth is not supposed to be done in pick and chose situations. Truth too needs steadfastness. Such people never take any assistance of lies and falsehood to get their work done. They are always truthful to their promises. As Allah invites, “O you who believe! Fear Allah and be with those who are truthful.” Truth should be cling even you face a threat of loss in your business or relations or your image. People deceive and cheat by lying and therefore the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “A Cheater and a deceiver’s place is reserved in Hell fire.” ( Musnad e Ahmed)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) passed by a man was selling cereal crush while announcing that it was of best quality. He put his hands in the crush and saw that it got wet. He understood that the seller was not claiming truthfully. So he said, “What’s the matter? Why are the cereals dry on the surface and wet beneath?” The seller replied, “ it is due to rain that the cereals got wet.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Then why did you not place those wet cereals on the surface so that the buyers can know? Mind well whoever cheats us is not from among us.”
The Patient men and the Patient women
Whenever you undergo any difficulty or loss then recite, “Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raje’oon” Indeed we are from Allah and to him we will return.”
Patient is to be observed in being steadfast in obedience, worship. It is also needed to bear calamities while following Deen as such patience is for the sake of pleasing Allah.
Sabr are of three types:
- ‘Sabr alal ita’a’ is observed in order to continue obedience to Allah. For example, we fast in the scorching summer for the sake of obeying Allah.
- ‘Sabr alal Ma’siya’ is observed when you are being harassed because you were abstaining from a sin. Immense patience is required to save yourself from sins. This sabr has a very high status in the sight of Allah.
- Sabr alal Mustibah is observed when Allah tests you with a calamity in form of a sickness or loss in wealth or death of a relative. It will get your registered in the list of Sabireen and Sabiraat.
On the day of Qiyamah, There will an announcement, “Where are the Sabiroon?” A group will stand and it will be said to them, “Enter the Jannah without accounts.”On the way they will be met with Angels who will asked them “who are you?” They will reply, “we are sabiroon.” The angels will ask, “What did you do the sabr upon?” They will say, “We did sabr upon the hardships, we controlled our temptations from erring and.” Then it will be asked to them, “Were you accounts taken?” They will reply, “No.” The angels will say you rightly deserve to go to Jannah without accounts.” (Tirmidhi)
Humble men and Humble women
The Arabic term is Khushoo, and it means tranquility, humbleness, focused in one’s character. There should be no arrogance or pride but gentleness in one attitude. It is connected in dealing with people in a humble manner. Like Luqman, the wise, advised his son, thousands of years ago, “O my son, do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful.” (Luqman: 18)
It is a condition to be qualified for entering Jannah.
Scholars have said that khashee’in refers raising the standard of character. The highest status of good character is to initiate greeting along with a smile, when you meet a Muslim. Therefore when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked, “Who is the best Muslim?” He replied, “One who greets his Muslim brother and feeds them whether he knows them or not.”It should reflect happiness in meeting your brother.
It is not Just greeting
Greetings and replies to your greetings are dua and how many opportunities of receiving supplication from people, one misses everyday due to one’s careless in greeting. How many Muslims do you pass by everyday without you initiating greetings to them? There are three dua in each greetings when you say, Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu, Peace, Mercy and Blessings of Allah be upon you.
Charitable men and Charitable women
For many of us even giving out zakat becomes a very difficult task and some even skip Sadaqatul Fitrah, the charity to be given before Eid prayers. Sadaqah has to be regular, helping the needy around you.
Men and women who keep Fast
It refers to the nawafil fast that one keeps in non Ramadhan days. When Umar (Allah be pleased with him) realised that his wound may be fatal. He wept. People asked him the reason. He said, “I am not weeping because of parting from the world but I am weeping because I will be missing my difficult wudhu in chilled winters and fasting the nawafil ones during scorching heat of summers.” Umar (Allah be pleased with him) meant that the hope of getting reward due to going through hardship in order to please Allah. He found it delighting.
Men and Women who guard their modesty
The Prophet (peace be upon him) was shown a person’s punishment in hell fire. A peace of dirty and stinking meat was placed before him which he wanted to eat but could not. There was around him fresh meat but he did not chose it instead he prefered to pick the dirty one. Upon asking the reason, Jibrael replied that he was a person who overlooked his wife and prefered cheap vulgar women to get entertained. So this is his punishment in hell.
Men and Women who remember Allah often
Besides offering Fardh Ibaadah, one must also observe extra Dhikr. The Prophet (peace be upon him) himself said, “Your tongue should be always carrying the remembrance of Allah.” It includes all aspects of being thankful to Allah through words and calling upon Him with masnoon Dua as per the sunnah.
The verse ends with a good news and guaranteed assurance
Allah has promised forgiveness and a great reward for them.
The ten conditions for qualifying to enter Jannah were revealed at the request of women but it covered even the men too. They are not so difficult because Allah never puts any difficulty upon His worshippers. The only things one requires is the spirit to achieve those ten qualifications.