Contributions of the Muslim Woman by giving Sincere Advice by Shaykh Doctor Abū ʿAbdul-Bārī Riḍā bin Khālid Būshāmah

A woman is an advisor, a guide, and an educator. Her advice for others contributes to making life more settling and full of tranquility and happiness; because she can address souls by guiding them to what will reform and lead them to success out of love for whoever is advised and out of desire for the good and reform of their souls; since she is gifted with nice speech, faithful intentions, intense and deep emotions that substantially lead the minds of sinners to safety and success. This book points out the position of the woman in the field of D’awah in general and her position in giving advice in particular. This very woman is an integral part of the society; she is a daughter, a sister, a wife, and a mother. She could be at her house or her parent’s house; she could be outside her house in the company of her friends and colleagues. At all of these places, she hears and sees whoever is around her whether it is good or bad. Notably, our pure religion commands the woman the same as the man to actively change evil once sighting it. Allāh says, “The believers, men, and women, are ‘Awliyā’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another, they enjoin (on the people) al-Ma’rūf (i.e. Islāmic Monotheism and all that Islām orders one to do), and forbid (people) from al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islām has forbidden); they perform as-Salāt and give the Zakāt, and obey Allāh and His Messenger. Allāh will have His Mercy on them. Surely Allāh is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” [Sūrah at-Tawbah 9:71] The Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said,“Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then [let him change it] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart — and that is the weakest of faith.”[8] This instruction is general and addresses both men and women on an equal footing. The woman’s part in changing evil is to be observed consistently with the legislative regulations, and giving advice is a part of it. She is expected to advise her fellow women in accordance to what she is blessed with of knowledge and wisdom. There are examples from the best centuries where the woman gave advice at her house and outside it. Thus, I have seen it fit to divide this book into two sections; each section is comprised of several chapters. At the end of the book, I gave some recommendations for women pertaining giving advice. Indeed, Allāh is the One, who leads to all that is good.