Creation of women?

[Abdulaziz]

Assalaamu alaikum

Can anybody clarify the following matter - in some Islamic books one can find statements that Havva was created NOT from the rib of Adam. Is it true? And can anybody provide details with the full source of information (dalil)?

[Asif]

Assalamu Alaykum !

The truth is that Hawwa (Eve), peace be upon her, was created from the left rib of Adam, peace be upon him. (Source : http://www.islam.tc/ask-imam/view.php?q=5822)

The fact that woman was created from a rib is stated in the Ahadith.

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah 's Apostle said, "Treat women nicely, for a women is created from a rib, and the most curved portion of the rib is its upper portion, so, if you should try to straighten it, it will break, but if you leave it as it is, it will remain crooked. So treat women nicely." (Sahih Al Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 55, Number 548)

Dr G F Haddad states about this hadith : The upper portion (of the rib) is a simile for her tongue and the meaning of the hadith is that one might hear unpleasant words from his wife - as established by the hadith of the dwellers of Hellfire - and yet must show restraint and patience without forcing his view on her, nor divorcing her. The simile of the rib is not new in Islam but is found also in the Judeo-Christian tradition.

What is new is the message, “Therefore, treat women kindly” (istawsaw bil-nisa'). This message shows that the Prophet, peace be upon him, took a primarily misogynistic Biblical simile, stripped it of its "original sin" construct and turned it into a practical exhortation to patience and perseverance between spouses so that disputes lead into spiritual growth instead of impasses and divorce, even if they should lash out at each other in verbal arguments.

Wassalam,
Asif.

[Nzingha]

As Salaam Alaikum

I like hospital shows where they cut people up :) I found it interesting that one dr. was explaining how strong the ribs actually are. Not only do they protect many important organs such as the heart but the bones themselves aren't weak, they are in fact very strong.

Its odd to me that when speaking of the creation of women and the issue of the rib.. it is always given such negative light but in reality the ribs are much needed aspects of our body. They are protectors of so many vital organs something really must be said on this aspect of the similie of the rib. ..

many early muslim scholars commenting on the creation of eve rely on christian influenced traditions. Take a look at Al Tabari.. straight from genesis word for word, all hadith form attributed to Muhammad pbuh. Such traditions of course must be rejected.

The Qur'an itself is not specific on the creation of Eve, it just states that she was created like Adam from a single nafs.. soul. Of like nature, whether this indicates the nature of man, or the nature of creation is open for dispute.

Regarding the hadith in which Asif pointed to there is a difference of opnion, please read this link http://www.islamonline.net/askaboutislam/display.asp?hquestionID=3410

Now since there isn't anything clear on this issue, it is a matter of dispute. One side taking the position of eve being created from a rib, the other that there is no clear indication of that and she was not created from the rib but rather that is more of judeo/christian influence on Islamic scholarship.

In the end Allhu Alim

[Muslihah]

As-Salamu-Alaikum

I was taught that women are weak and their iman/faith sway easily.Thus, to have good muslimah, Rasulullah has told men to educate their women in the right manner, such as to straighten a croocked object e.g rib.If they were too harsh the rib will break and if they were too lenient the rib will remain in that position.Just like educating children....when parents are too strict and abuse their children, they will see their children as gangsters or as timid people in the future.And when the parents are too soft, their children will step on their heads.

Muslihah

[Rasha]

Assalamu alikom....

Although this might seem for some a bit long...... I couldn't help but post the article... no matter how much I try... i won't explain it as nicely.... this is parts of the article which is related to our topic... This is from storyofprophets mailing list... they said it is taken from tapes of Tariq Sweedan. It ties in to what was said above...
***

Until now, we have come to understand some facts about the nature of Adam (pbuh)'s creation. We have also come across the mere fact that Ibless had vowed to lead Adam's offspring astray, except those who are chosen and are obedient to their Creator. Moreover, we have learnt that Adam (pbuh) was given the knowledge needed to master the earth.
After the creation process and Iblees' refusal to prostrate to Adam (pbuh), Adam felt lonely. He would sometimes speak to the angels, but they were preoccupied with worshipping Allah. Hence, as Adam (pbuh) was asleep one day, Allah took the shortest rib of Adam (pbuh)'s left side, shaped it, and clothed it with flesh. And when Adam (pbuh) woke up, he found a woman (Hawa/Eve). Hence, we understand the following verse:

"O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife (Hawwa /Eve),and from them both He created many men and women; and fear Allah throughWhom you demand (your mutual rights), and (do not cut the relations of ) the wombs. Surely Allah is Ever an All-Watcher over you". (4:1)

Ibn Abbas and a group of companions narrate that the following conversation took place between Adam and Hawwa: He asked her: "who are you?" She replied: "A woman/(in arabic imra2ah." He asked: "Why have you been created ?" She said: "So that you could find tranquility in me." Then, the angels asked Adam her name, and he said: "Hawwa/Eve." They asked: "Why was she so named?" He replied: "Because she was created from something living (the rib)" (The word Hawwa in arabic comes from the root "hay" meaning alive). (Ibn Katheer's Stories of the Prophets, 16-17)

Subhan Allah! If one notices, the left rib in a human body is that which covers and protects the heart. It had to be a bent, crooked one to encompass that organ. Some people argue that Hawwa could've just been created from dust too or anything else. Yet, Allah's wisdom includes enforcing the feelings of tranquility and affection between husband and wife: "And among His signs is this, that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect" (30:21)

When a husband truely understands and keeps in mind the origin of Hawwa's creation, how will he ever then mistreat his wife? She is part of him and thus, he will never find tranquility with anyone else but the one Allah has chosen for him. Moreover, the creation of Hawwa directs wives into learning the essence of their creation: Hawwa said: I was created "so that you find tranquility in me". Do most believing women truely keep this in mind ? Do they sincerely seek the tranquility in their lives, peace at home, and affection with their husbands ? A woman knows very well that she has the ability to fill the atmosphere at home with love, care, and tenderness .. and she only has the ability to turn it upside down, if she chooses.

Abu Hurairah narrated that the following are words among our Prophet's last sermon which took place on the 9th of Zul Hijjah, 10 A.H, on the mountain of Arafa: "O people! It is true that you have certain rights over your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under God's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Treat your women well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers" and in another hadeeth: "O Muslims! I advise you to be gentle with women, for they are created from a rib, and the most crooked portion of the rib is its upper part. If you try to straighten it, it will break, and if you leave it, it will remain crooked, so I urge you to take care of women." (Bukhari)

It is so beautiful that among the last words of our Prophet (pbuh) are words of advice to be gentle with women. Scholars explain that a woman's nature being "crooked" is not a default or disadvantage. It simply means that she has extra-emotions in comparison to men. And that is why she "covers the mans heart and protects it" like the left rib does. She softens his moods when angry, she supports him when tired, and she advises him when he is weak. Al Hakeem has a wisdom behind how and why every single thing is created. It is of His mercy that a woman had to be more emotional, in order to protect the husband, house, and children sincerely. Amr Khaled comments that Adam (pbuh) was created from dust, since he is going to be dealing with matters of the earth (land, work, etc), while Hawwa was created from the rib that protects the heart since she was meant to deal with matters of the heart that emerge and reflect in her attitude and daily life.

[Nzingha]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rasha
[B]Assalamu alikom....


After the creation process and Iblees' refusal to prostrate to Adam (pbuh), Adam felt lonely. He would sometimes speak to the angels, but they were preoccupied with worshipping Allah. Hence, as Adam (pbuh) was asleep one day, Allah took the shortest rib of Adam (pbuh)'s left side, shaped it, and clothed it with flesh. And when Adam (pbuh) woke up, he found a woman (Hawa/Eve). Hence, we understand the following verse:


Ibn Abbas and a group of companions narrate that the following conversation took place between Adam and Hawwa: He asked her: "who are you?" She replied: "A woman/(in arabic imra2ah." He asked: "Why have you been created ?" She said: "So that you could find tranquility in me." Then, the angels asked Adam her name, and he said: "Hawwa/Eve." They asked: "Why was she so named?" He replied: "Because she was created from something living (the rib)" (The word Hawwa in arabic comes from the root "hay" meaning alive). (Ibn Katheer's Stories of the Prophets, 16-17)>>

as salaam alaikum

this is what i mean about traditions straight out of genesis.. i'll post the story in genesis for you.


Genesis 2

18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.


You also should check the grade of the hadith in Kathir, it can be found in Tabari as well and from my readings is not reliable it is based on jewish/christian traditions.

[Rasha]

Jazaky Allah khairan sis for clarifying that... I will inshaAllah check it... :)

[waheedah]

Assalamu alaikum

I was told that there are always two ways of interpretation to certain things, which we can’t explain explicitly (for now at least). We can either take it as what it was literally meant... the physical rib OR that Allah may have used it as a similitude for a material to which only Allah has the knowledge.

If Allah made me from a rib, this is completely fine with me. And if Allah made me from something that HE similitude to a rib, is also fine with me.

I believe that we shouldn't be too rigid in our interpretation to something that we do not know for exact and whose actual knowledge only lies with Allah.

To justify why Allah chose a rib, or for example, why Allah forbade pig, what degree of centigrade is the jinn’s fire etc is sometimes... hmm.. what should I say... have we really reached the level of knowledge where we can confidently say that "this must be it!"?

This is just my opinion and wasn’t intended to hurt anyone. Comments are welcomed. Please correct me if my understanding is wrong. I am sure we can all disagree (if we have to) in an agreeable manner <smiles>.

Wa Allahu aalam.

p.s. Asif bhai, nice to see you still active on the web.

Baaji

[waheedah]

ooops, my location is visible?

hmmm... is there a way to hide my personal profiles?

[Rasha]

Thank you Waheedah for ur input...

I personally agree with you... I accept either way if one of the scholars has said it is so.... for I don't have enough knowledge to say this or that is right or wrong unless it is too obvious. From what I know... Tariq Sweedan is a very well known and respected scholar and this is why I took his words for granted.

anyways.... :) we all must be well familiar or in process of learning the science of difference... just cause we have differences doesn't mean we are enemies :)

Welcome to IWC sis...and I have edited ur options so that ur location is not visible ... if there is anything else u need to hide from ur profile u can use the user cp above to edit it or just let us know if u didn't figure it out :)

[Asif]

Assalamu Alaykum Dear Baaji Waheedah !

I'm really glad to see you online after such a long time sis....hope you're doing great, and so is the family, Ameen.

Plz contact me if it is possible for you (via email)...i'm not sure if your email account is still active...is it?

Wassalam,
Your Bro,
Asif.

[waheedah]

wa alaikum salaam warahmatyullahi wabarakaatuh <smiles>

Thank you Asif bhai and sis Rasha.

Barakallahu feik!

[Lulua]

Assalaamu alaikum.

We are told in the Quran:

'and you are not given aught of knowledge but a little.' s. 17, v. 85.

And of that knowledge...how much of it can we be certain of that it is absolute? I mean...we may know something...or think that we know it...and yet the truth or completion of that knowledge is truly yet to be revealed to us...or the condition that we are in, or the state of ability to know that we are in...,is yet to change so that we can better understand.

May Allah help us all, increase us in the knowledge that will benefit us and mankind as well, and give us the wisdom to implement that knowledge into our daily lives in order to better serve Him and His purpose in our worship to Him.

Lulua.

[Abdulaziz]

from the books "Islam to the modern mind" (availabe at http://www.info786.com)

...And among the signs of God is that he made male and female from the same species of the same nature, so that when they enter into a bond of marriage - they get spiritual consolation
(Q 30:21)
The spiritual consolation that comes through companionship is the biggest force in the ordeals of life. My wife and I support each other through this force. Our companionship is primarily spiritual and consequently we never have any quarrels. Of course, in every married life all types of moments come, and people say: "What a model your marriage is". Of course, I did not marry her for her physical charms, I came to know her only after I was married to her.
The Holy Prophet (s) - in his last charter of human rights said:

Remember 0 husbands, your wives are a divine trust in your hands. It is sacred, take care of it.
How sacred is a trust from God? My wife and I felt for one another in this manner and therefore our life has been extremely happy. The husband and wife grow old together and the beauty of such a life is that they love one another more and more. This is possible only in the Islamic attitude towards marriage. Allow me to give you another example, particularly for the youth to note:
My mother's uncle was a landlord with estates and a farm. He had a palatial house: one section for the ladies and one section for the men. We used to go there every year for a holiday. He became very fond of me as he had no children. He was in his early thirties and a very handsome man. As a young boy I was shocked when I saw his wife for the first time. She was blind, deaf, dumb, and a part of her face as well as her body was paralysed. But her husband served her like a humble servant. After coming from Fayr prayers, I saw the first thing he would do is to go to her room and wash her face, hands and feet himself in spite of there being twelve servants in the house. He would put oil on her hair and comb it. After that he would bring her breakfast and feed her with his hands. I could not understand what was happening and thought something was wrong with my mother's uncle. This thought lingered in my mind for a long time until curiosity compelled me to ask my grandfather why my grandmother was so ugly and he so beautiful. He answered, "When I married your grandma, she was very beautiful and we loved one another very dearly. This village is very far from the city and her first child was still bom. There was no nurse and no doctor and only her life could be saved, not her health. Son, when I married her, I used to express my love to her, now that she is in this state, should I abandon her? As a Muslim, 1 should bestow more love on her so that her feelings may not be hurt. Therefore, 1 cannot marry another woman nor entrust a maid to care for her."
Now, there are attitudes in life to be observed. If we become believers in Allah (swt) for all practical purposes and if we make hedonism (the pursuit of sensual pleasure) as the real aim in life, then couples living together without marriage and in prostitution will become the order of the day. Read the health report of the U.S.A. - the blood of 80% of all Americans contains the syphilis virus. This virus saps the energy of the body. They have to take antibiotics to keep this virus under control all

the time. Examine people from Norway to Sweden and Denmark you'll find thousands of naked prostitutes on the roadside. In terms of psychological health, the suicide rate in these countries is the highest. Unbridled freedom ends up in no marriage, no health and no romance. It is just a bubbling lava of evil that eats into the being of these communities. Do you want to repeat it in your community, my dear friends!
Finally, another contentious point that is often raised is the condition at the work place where there is inter-mingling of the sexes. Islam does not encourage the promiscuous intermingling of sexes whether in hospitals, colleges, schools, etc. It does allow healthy growth of these sexes within their own freedom. We cannot take for granted that if all men and women are well guarded they cannot fall into any kind of evil. Evil can even be of a very innocent type. Islam wants to safeguard chastity and condemns whatever violates this principle. If this can be safe-guarded by the Muslim woman and she goes to work, then it may be allowed. Of course, in a Muslim country there would be separate facilities for the ladies and men.
My personal point of view is that a healthy society can grow only when the men and women make a contribution in co-operation with one another, but avoiding all those situations where there may be the possibility of deviation from the divine law. I know of Muslim and non-Muslim men and women who are the embodiment of purity and they work with one another. But unfortunately, the percentage of such people is very low and we cannot consider this as an argument for free intermingling.
All praises belong to Allah, Lord of all the worlds.

[jihsgo]

Hello to all

Many ideas and discussions, I have been following quietly for a time, but feel compelled to make an observation.
High and noble ideals, that would indeed make life better for all. Just wish to point out a couple of inaccuracies, though.
1) Syphilis is not a virus, but a bacterium, namely Treponema Pallidum. Antibiotics are no use against a virus.
2) the rate of primary and secondary syphilis decreased by 89.2% from 1990-2000.
Perhaps this is your misunderstanding of the '80% of population has this disease'?
3) Actual cases rose from 5,979 in the year 2000 to 6,103 in the year 2001, the first increase in the disease since 1990
4) As a sexually transmitted disease with great cost, both socially and economically, it is a reportable disease that is tracked by law both in the US and here in Canada
The information for these stats come from the US Centres for Disease Control.
5) 'Thousands of naked prostitutes' may be an exaggeration, particularly in the colder climes of the north. No argument that prostitution exists everywhere in varying degrees. The west has no monopoly on the oldest profession, and after all, if there were no 'customers', the trade would soon die out. A business with no clientel does not stay in business for long.

jihsgo