How can a woman be a caller to the religion of Allah, what are the factors that aid in that, and what are the books with which I should begin to establish the foundations of Islamic knowledge?
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The questioner : The questioner is Aisha from the Arab Republic of Egypt, Port Said. We addressed a question from her in the previous episode, and this question remains for her. She says: How can a woman be a caller to the religion of Allah, what are the factors that aid in that, and what are the books with which I should begin to acquire Islamic knowledge?
The Shaykh : A woman can be a caller to the religion just as a man can, provided she has knowledge of the Shari'ah of Allah. If she does not have knowledge, it is not permissible for her to speak without knowledge, due to the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Al-A'raf 7:33].
And due to His saying the Exalted:[Al-Isra 17:36].
And due to His saying the Exalted to His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):[Yusuf 12:108].
Second: She must have the ability to speak about what she has learned.
Third: She must have the ability to debate the opponent, because a person opposing what she is calling to may arise, and he may have eloquence and clarity, so he may overcome this caller with his eloquence and clarity due to the weakness of her defense and the strength of his falsehood. Therefore, she must have the ability to debate the opponent.
As for what she should begin with, the best thing to begin with is the Book of Allah the Mighty and Majestic. She should memorize it, reflect on its meanings, and call people to the religion of Allah the Exalted with it. Then, what is authentic from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The Sunnah explains the Qur'an, clarifies it, and interprets it, and it is the sister of the Qur'an in the obligation to act upon it.
Then, the books of creed and tawhid (the oneness of Allah), especially if she is in a country where shirk (associating partners with Allah) and false creed are prevalent. Then, what the scholars have written of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) as is available to her. It is better for her to ask about each specific issue, meaning she should ask the scholars of knowledge so that the answer is more precise.
The Shaykh : A woman can be a caller to the religion just as a man can, provided she has knowledge of the Shari'ah of Allah. If she does not have knowledge, it is not permissible for her to speak without knowledge, due to the saying of Allah the Exalted:
Say, "My Lord has only forbidden immoralities - what is apparent of them and what is concealed - and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down authority, and that you say about Allah that which you do not know."
قل إنما حرم ربي الفواحش ما ظهر منها وما بطن والإثم والبغي بغير الحق وأن تشركوا بالله ما لم ينزل به سلطاناً وأن تقولوا على الله ما لا تعلمونAnd due to His saying the Exalted:
And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned.
ولا تقف ما ليس بك به علم إن السمع والبصر والفؤاد كل أولئك كان عنه مسؤولاًAnd due to His saying the Exalted to His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
Say, "This is my way; I invite to Allah with insight, I and those who follow me. And exalted is Allah; and I am not of those who associate others with Him."
قل هذه سبيلي أدعوا إلى الله على بصيرة أنا ومن اتبعني وسبحان الله وما أنا من أنا من المشركينSecond: She must have the ability to speak about what she has learned.
Third: She must have the ability to debate the opponent, because a person opposing what she is calling to may arise, and he may have eloquence and clarity, so he may overcome this caller with his eloquence and clarity due to the weakness of her defense and the strength of his falsehood. Therefore, she must have the ability to debate the opponent.
As for what she should begin with, the best thing to begin with is the Book of Allah the Mighty and Majestic. She should memorize it, reflect on its meanings, and call people to the religion of Allah the Exalted with it. Then, what is authentic from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The Sunnah explains the Qur'an, clarifies it, and interprets it, and it is the sister of the Qur'an in the obligation to act upon it.
Then, the books of creed and tawhid (the oneness of Allah), especially if she is in a country where shirk (associating partners with Allah) and false creed are prevalent. Then, what the scholars have written of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) as is available to her. It is better for her to ask about each specific issue, meaning she should ask the scholars of knowledge so that the answer is more precise.