Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahman
A big congratulations to all living souls on the occasion of yet another Hijrah year 1447 celebration and we pray for more of such to be witnessed. Glory be to Almighty Allah (SubhanaHu Wa Ta'ala (SWT)) on the enormous favour and unequal blessing be upon the soul of the noble Messenger Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi @Wasallam (SAW)), his entire household, companions and all deserving followers of his guidance till eternity. As the first Jum'at in the new year, we pray Allah for a thorough-fare year in progress and many more resounding causes of success worthy of celebration. This edition shall take on 'International Day of Widows; Islamic Views.'
The 23rd of June of each year was declared by thr United Nations in 2011 as the International Widow Day as a resolution 'Towards Progress for Widows in (Resolution A/Res/65/189 of 2011). Drawing attention to voice of widows, the UN placed on record that about 258 million widows are living in deprivation world-over. Many staggered statistics of the same magnitude leave much less access to old age pension, destination, no access to bank account, lone mother families and vulnerable to poverty.
The causes of widowhood range from armed conflicts, displacement, migration, health crisis leaving tens of thousand widows. It could also result from missing or disappeared person. By extension, however, widowhood situation often comes with series of reactionary steps in different climes and cultural settings. Some widows face absolute denial inheritance right, grab of properties, stigma and discrimination, perceived 'carriers of disease and they are branded many names targeting at plundering their rights not minding the fate of the children. Some inhuman treatments are melted to widows, some are subject to various taboo and branded evil. Wearing of dack attires, shaving of heads, sleeping on the bare floor, feeding on untasty food and lots more are part of the conditions widows ate subjected to in most cultural societies.
In Islam, however, widowhood commences on the exact day of husband's death and its termination varies depends largely on the situation of the woman in question at the point of the man's death (Qur'an 66:4). A pregnant widow is relieved of widowhood on the day of her delivery no matter how soon. A period of four months ten days is observed by non-pregnant widow (Qur'an 2:234). As for minor and aged widow, a waiting period of three months and this also applies to non-stop menstruating widow (Qur'an 2:234). Further more, three Tuhr (cleaned periods) is the waiting period for an untouched minor and aged (Quran 2:228). A waiting period of four years of expectation is observed by a widow whose husband is missing, then four months ten days for widowhood period is observed. This specification can becfound in Ibn Quddam's Al Mughniy 8/89 and Majmu'u Fatawa 20/402-404. Mention must be made that widowhood is open only to women under the deceased husband at the expence of those mothers of children.
The main purpose of widowhood in Islam appears in 1. Publicising the grief resulting from the husband's demise. 2. Clearance of siemen from the woman's anatomy. 3. Preventing possible mistake in paternity of chuldren. 4.Elongation the chance of Raja'ah (reconciliation) wherever it is feasible in case of divorce. 5. Satisfying husband's rights to the fullest and, 6. Wife's recuperation (Qur'an 2:235). The period of widowhood does not preclude a woman from usual cleanliness, attending to daily routines if she has no-one to do that for her. The same thing applies to a widow who is a career woman, she should not be prevented from going through her normal office hour. The only proviso is to be cautious against being vulgar in appearance, approach and disposition.
In addition to that, widowhood offers great deal of wisdom. It availa ua of the fact that death is as iminent as a puncture to life. It disallows fatality stemming from re-marriage if the widow is of marriage age. Islam does not allow resigning to fate as a result of husband's death. She sees continuity in life journey culminating sooner re-marrying. Another wisdom of widowhood is to avoid Rabibah (having canal knowledge of a daughter of a wife from earlier husband either direct or through fosterage. Widowhood also brings about real assurance of sympathy cut-off and of course satisfying righteousness regarding feeling for another man. To this extent, it must be mentioned that denying a widow to marry her choice may be an unpardonable error.
The Glorious Qur'an is categorical in its postulation that life is opn to continuity. As such, the journey of continuity in this regard can be initiated by either man or woman depending largely on the situation. Allah (SWT) says: "There is no blame on you if you make an indirect offer of bethrothal or hold it in your hearts. Allah knows that you cherish them in your hearts: but do not make secret contact with them except that you speak to them in terms honourable, nor resolve on the tie of marriage till thevterm prescribed is fulfilled. And know that Allah knows what is in your hearts, and take heed of Him ; and know that Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Forbearing." The case study of a wealthy woman inone of the Nigerian cities comes to mind. She got married to another man at the age of 59 after the demise of the first husband. Her story has since become a role model in the Muslim circle showing that there is no age in life when a woman should resign to fate on the utter of remaining unmarried.
In the above related Ayah, it is evident that men cannot but be dazzled by the beauty and religiosity of widows as virtuous marriageable women, they should not be promised in secret. Relating to them matters of moving forward in life should be in figurative and proverbial. In fact full action in relationship should not be taken untill the (Iddah) waiting period is complete. Since Allah knows what lies in human mind, the prospective suitors should be wairy of caprice and lust and approach the situation with the fear of Allah.
Above all, Muslim men are advised to be good to widows and this constitutes a higher level of social responsibility in Islamic circle. The noble Messenger Muhammad (SAW) once urged being good to widows when he said: " الساعي على الارملة كالمجاهد meaning Bearing responsibilities on Windows is a category of Jihad." Adapting this tradition to the context of this edition, itvshaws that spreading hands of love to widows is meeitorious. A shining practical example of drawing more benefits from marrying widows who are major in particular was given by the Messenger. Ummu Salmah's experience and wisdom became instrumental during the first Umrah the Muslims plan to attend untill they were surprisingly taken aback by Makkans and it came to reality that they would rather come for the same purpose next year. The situation was tensing owing to the fact that they had travelled far from Madinah to Hudaybiyyah, some little kilometers to Makkah. Giving instruction to do Umrah at the spot nearly became controversial as the order to start shaving their heads nearly fell on deaf hear. The (elderly widow) woman invited her husband Muhammad that he should rather 'lead by example'. Seeing the Messenger shaving, all other Sahabah voluntarily acceded to the earlier order in similitude to اذا كان رب البيت بالطبل ضاربا # فلا داع بالابناء الا بالركص meaning: Whenever a 'Station DPO' starts drumming; nothing for the Copra and sergent but dance'. The advice worked like magic and people were amazed!
In essence, experienced widows ready for marriage find favour in Islam aside from other culture. She must be ready to cooperate with the new husband and behave normal for complimentary achievements. This is part of the UN's resolution to chart new causes for eidows in contemporary societies. A re-integgration of widows into the normal scheme of the society becomes a source of strength to the society. Bringing windows to fully participate in peace building and engaging them in decent works, equal pay capable of eliminating all forms of discrimination is encouraged. It is through this and other humanly possible interventions, policies and programs that SDG of various government can be achieved. The next edition shall be taking on 'The Phenomenon of Single Motherhood; Socio-religious Implications, In Sha'a Allah.
# Widows proliferation and Causes
# Waiting period and cateogries
# Rationale and wisdom for widowhood
DR. RAZAQ BOLAWAYE UTHMAN, IMAM & MISSIONER ANDAR-UD-DEEN SOCIETY OF NIGERIA IPAJA BRANCH LAGOS STATE NIGERIA. © Copyrights 2025/1447AH.
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