Muslimah urged to refrain from 'fitnah'

MUSLIM women who want to play a role in contributing to society must know their limits and know that what they do will not lead to fitnah (slander and gossip) or wrongdoings.

At the forum titled Muslimah Solehah Obor Ummah (Pious women are the torch of the Ummah), Ustazah Dk Norhayati Pg Hj Kasran, Religious Officer from the Islamic Dakwah Centre, said that women who want to contribute their services to the betterment of society must first know their rights and wrongs.

"When we want to contribute our services to society, we must make sure that the activities or work we get ourselves involved in would not lead to slander and gossip as well as wrongdoings," said Ustazah Dk Norhayati.

Ustazah Dk Norhayati also said that the role of women in Islam, other than doing good, is to prevent herself from doing wrong and preventing the act of wrongdoing itself.

Before a woman finds other sources, such as motivational books, to make herself a better Muslim, it is more important she familiarises herself with the ayat (verses) found in the Quran which she can hold on to, said Ustazah Dk Norhayati.

Ustazah Dk Norhayati gave an example of one verse from the Quran, verse 71 of Surah At-Taubah which reads, "The Believers men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, practice regular charity, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise".

Ustazah Dk Norhayati continued to say that women must understand their two main roles. First, is to obey Allah SWT and second, obey Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Part of obeying Allah SWT and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is to obey parents and the husband.

Ustazah Dk Norhayati said that it is important to get the consent of parents in everything we do.

"One of the ways in which we can get the consent of parents is through praying and making doa (supplication).

"Through our mother and father, we can get the key to syurga (heaven) apart from other religious practices," said Ustazah Dk Norhayati. Redha (will) and restu (blessings) from parents is what will help us achieve syurga, she further said.

"It is not wrong to pray for wealth and other things but do not forget the doa for parents (as) ... we will always be their children."

The Muslimah Solehah Obor Ummah forum was organised by the Majlis Perhimpunan Wanita at the Kuala Belait Conference Hall in conjunction with the Maulidur Rasul celebration held on Feb 5.

Present as the guest of honour was Datin Hjh Seri Lailawati Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Jaya Dato Paduka Hj Judin, wife of the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Dato Paduka Hj Hisham Hj Md Hanifah.

Panel members of the forum were Ustazah Dk Norhayati and Ustazah Hjh Zaleha Hj Ibrahim, lecturer from Seri Begawan Religious Teachers College University (KUPU SB).

Among issues discussed at the forum were the role and characteristics of the Wanita Solehah. Panel members also shared stories of women well-known in the history of Islam.

The event was attended by officers and staff from government and private agencies, associations, public organisations, members of the Mukim Village Consultative Council and students from technical and religious schools.The Brunei Times