As mentioned in previous pages, the most important and sensitive duty of women is the upbringing of children. Although both parents share this responsibility, the role of the mother is greater and her influence deeper—especially in raising daughters. The first teacher of a girl is her mother. While both boys and girls require proper upbringing, special attention must be given to the upbringing of girls today, as they are the future mothers. Since girls will one day become wives and mothers, God has instilled within their nature the traits and emotional capacity necessary for motherhood and companionship.
In nurturing and educating daughters, a fundamental question must be asked: What kind of life are we preparing them for, and what worldview and understanding of life are we shaping in them? Are we raising women whose only concern is fulfilling material and physical needs, or women who strive for noble character, moral excellence, and spiritual values? The first priority in raising daughters should be their religious upbringing, because religion is the most essential need of every individual. If a girl is raised in a religious home and adheres to religious teachings, her sense of religiosity will prevail over other influences in both her future family and society.
Therefore, religious upbringing should aim to bring the girl closer to God, so she feels His presence in all situations and believes that He loves her righteous deeds and will punish her if she disobeys. One must take advantage of girls’ natural admiration for role models and introduce them to the pure and devout women in history so that they are inspired to progress swiftly in both knowledge and action. Teaching noble character traits and moral values is essential for human life—especially for women and girls—because a life without ethics and an upbringing without spirituality is meaningless and leads to crime and anxiety.
Mothers should also know that raising daughters properly and Islamically is rewarded by God. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said in a hadith: “مَنْ عَالَ ثَلَاثَ بَنَاتٍ، فَأَدَّبَهُنَّ، وَزَوَّجَهُنَّ، وَأَحْسَنَ إِلَيْهِنَّ، فَلَهُ الْجَنَّةُ” Translation: “Whoever supports three daughters, teaches them good manners, marries them off, and treats them kindly, will be rewarded with Paradise.”
In another narration, he said: “البَناتُ هُنَّ المُشفِقاتُ المُجَهَّزاتُ المُبارَكاتُ، مَن كانَت لَهُ ابْنَةٌ واحِدَةٌ جَعَلَهَا اللَّهُ لَهُ سِتْرًا مِنَ النّارِ، ومَن كانَت عِندَهُ ابْنَتانِ أُدخِلَ الجَنَّةَ بِهِما، ومَن كانَت عِندَهُ ثَلاثُ بَناتٍ أو مِثلُهُنَّ مِنَ الأخَواتِ وُضِعَ عَنهُ الجِهادُ وَالصَّدَقَةُ” Translation: “Daughters are compassionate, helpful, and blessed. Whoever has one daughter, Allah will make her a shield for him from the Hellfire. Whoever has two daughters will enter Paradise because of them. And whoever has three daughters—or three sisters—will be exempted from jihad and charity.”
Another hadith states: “مَن عالَ جارِيَتَينِ فَرَبّاهُما وأَحسَنَ إِلَيهِنَّ وزَوَّجَهُنَّ كُنَّ لَهُ حِجابًا مِنَ النّارِ” Translation: “Whoever raises two daughters, treats them well, and marries them off, they will become a shield for him from the Fire.”
There are many more narrations on this topic, of which a few have been mentioned here.
Thus, raising daughters in accordance with the teachings of the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) creates a barrier against Hellfire. Let us value our daughters and sisters, for through them, God bestows His mercy upon us and distances the worst punishment—Hellfire—from us. Chaste, modest, and veiled daughters act as a shield from the Fire for their parents.
It is narrated that a wise man once entered the court of a king and saw the king’s daughter sitting beside him. The king said, “I’ve heard people say that daughters draw far things near and distance near ones, and that they sever family ties!” The wise man replied, “No, Your Majesty! By God, they are the fragrant flowers of the heart. They bring forth men and give birth to heroes. They are rare pearls, protected and dignified. They care for the sick and remember the dead. They are kind to children and serve their grandparents. They shield from the Fire and are precious treasures.”
A Muslim poet once wrote:
“Peace upon you, O kind mother,
O mother of courageous men.
You are the one who gives birth to heroes,
We defend your chastity with our very skulls—
it is not something to be taken lightly.”
The Role of Women as Inviters to Islam
(وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ قَوْلًا مِّمَّن دَعَا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا وَقَالَ إِنَّنِي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ) [Fussilat: 33] Translation: “And who is better in speech than one who calls to Allah, does righteous deeds, and says, ‘Indeed, I am of the Muslims’?”
So, whoever combines the call to Allah’s religion with righteous deeds (meaning fulfilling the obligations and avoiding the prohibitions) and declares that he is among the Muslims—certainly no one has speech more beautiful, a path more noble, or actions more rewarded than him.
A woman raised by Islam, who knows her rights, value, and dignity, understands her responsibilities well. She acts as a mother and nurturer who gives a good generation to society and works to raise the banner of Islam high by raising girls who are beneficial for the community. Just as it is upon men, it is also obligatory for women to call toward the religion of Allah, enjoin good, and forbid evil.
She should organize her time wisely, give priority to self-discipline and purification through worship, care for her husband and family, raise her children properly, and adapt to the changing times in a way that helps her maintain balance between her responsibilities at home and her role in society. She should transform her habits from being aimless to becoming purpose-driven, guided by Islamic values.
If a Muslim woman is successful at home, she will be successful outside the home as well. She should not neglect her share of beneficial and sound religious knowledge. She must learn and teach and call to Allah using all means appropriate to her nature.
The Muslim woman bears a great responsibility and may not realize the significant role she plays in Da’wah. Therefore, she should seek her reward solely from Allah and never belittle any deed, no matter how small it may seem. A Muslim woman can be a powerful caller within her home and among other women, using good character, righteous conduct, and raising her children to also carry this responsibility.
She should recognize that the path ahead is not easy; it requires high ambition, firm resolve, pure intention, effort, and seizing every opportunity. She must remain steadfast and patient in awaiting results. The promise of victory, by the permission of Allah, is based on her effort.
All of this requires a deep understanding of the goals of her Da’wah, using all permissible means to advance them, and facing all challenges that a female caller may encounter. She must avoid harshness and anger and adopt the manners of the Prophet (PBUH)—gentleness, kindness, generosity, and mercy.
She must remember that success in this path requires sincerity in both word and deed. Sincerity plays a vital role in the advancement of reform and upbringing. The more sincere she is, the more hearts and ears will be open to her message.
The female caller must acquire Islamic knowledge so she can call to Allah with understanding and insight. Allah says: “قُلْ هَذِهِ سَبِيلِي أَدْعُو إِلَى اللَّهِ عَلَى بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِي” Translation: “Say: This is my way; I call to Allah with insight, I and those who follow me.”
She must be present among her peers and the people around her, carrying with her the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (PBUH). While scholars have made great progress with youth and men, a vital segment of society—women—are still in need of dedicated female callers: sincere, pure-hearted women who can deliver the truth to the hearts and speak about Islamic responsibilities.
It is unfortunate that in some gatherings, such as weddings and other parties, some women utter harmful words and promote various un-Islamic practices, leading others toward disobedience to God. So where are the devout, God-fearing women who will counter these misguidances with truth and silence those who try to harm Islam through their baseless actions? For when truth is present, falsehood has no ground to stand on.
The role of women in this regard is to seize every opportunity and, as Muslim Inviters, enter the field with dignity and calmness, armed with knowledge and action, and enlighten other sisters who are unaware of Islamic values.
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