Allah is ‘in’ everything?!

One of Munirah al Qubaysi’s students in Lebanon, Sahr Halbi, believes that Allah is in the Ka’bah and that is why people go on hajj. This is because she believes that Allah exists everywhere, EVEN in trees. Once, a woman entered her gathering to find Sahr Halbi and her students quiet and still, and when she wanted to speak they said to her: ‘Be quiet, revelation is descending upon her right now.’

This is clear pantheism [the “All-is-God doctrine,” the belief that God is manifest in and a part of everything].

Exaggerated Love

It doesn’t stop there. The followers of Munirah al-Qubaysi believe that those who follow Munirah are lik e temples which are built by Allah in order to serve and love her. The Qubaysiyaat believe the more they are lost in her love, the more they will become close to her until, thereby, they gain the cognizance of Allah and reach perfection. That is why her followers rush to kiss her hands, her feet and even to drink from the remainders of her beverages!

True Love

When we read the life of Mu’aadhah, we come to see the great love she had for her husband. For not only was he a great mujaahid (combatant in the way of Allah [a'zza wa jall]), but he was also a great a’abid (worshipper) and therefore shared and strived for the same goal as her - to worship the Lord of the heavens and the earth.

Indeed, it is a great blessing for a Muslim woman to be blessed with a righteous and Allah-fearing husband with whom she can work to improve herself, both knowledge-wise and eemaan (faith)-wise.

A Teacher Unlike Any Other

In the life of a student of knowledge, the presence of a teacher plays a weighty and momentous role. It is under the shade of one’s teacher that not only does the individual gain knowledge but a refinement of mannerism and thought. This is why, before mentioning the biography of someone great, there is no harm in first mentioning the teacher. In fact, this is a source of respect for the one to be spoken about especially if the teacher holds great respect and awe within the hearts of the masses...such as our beloved mother Aa’ishah [radhiallahu `anha].

Seldom has history seen the likes of a female scholar with the calibre of our mother Aa’ishah [radhiallahu `anha].

Recently, as is my habit, I was surfing the BBC website quite oblivious of what I’d find. As I scrolled down the page, much to my amazement a picture of a Muslim woman supplicating with her hands together fixed my gaze. What surprised me more was the title ‘Woman's touch, Female preachers prompt Islamic revival in Syria.’ I just had to have a peek – why would BBC put up a PRO-article in relation to a Muslim Woman REVIVAL movement?

Whatever the reason, I was glad to see a much needed shift from the usual media coverage regarding the face veil, forced marriages, Muslim Extremism … little did I know.

To recite the Qur’aan with tajweed is in fact an implementation of Allah’s command. Allah (a'zza wa jall) says, “And recite the Qur'ân (aloud) in a slow, (pleasant tone and) style.” [Qur’aan [73]:4]

Women today, as in the past, have not lagged behind in serving this science. Around the world we see women ardently working to teach themselves, their children and their community how to correctly pronounce and recite the words of their Creator. Some have done so by teaching in masaajid and schools, others by writing and setting up websites.

One such sister is Kareema Carol Czerepinski, an author of one of the most famous books on tajweed in the English language.