Chapter 1: Knowledge -- What the Muslim Woman Needs To Know in Light of Islam:

 In Islam, women are accountable just like men and they are also required to follow the basic duties, i.e. Belief in the Oneness of Allah, Prayer, Zakat, Fast, and Hajj. One should be aware that Zakat is due on those people who can afford and have wealth. Also, Hajj is also obligatory for those who are able to do it. Islam does not pressurize people in devoting themselves to religion as a result of suffering financial or health loss.

Ibn Al-Jawzi said:

“A woman is an accountable individual just as a man is. She is obliged to seek knowledge of her duties so that she may perform them properly.”

Islam believes that it is a duty of every Muslim man and woman to seek knowledge in order to grasp the religion as well as possible along with matching their steps with the world. There are some backward people who consider it useless for women to get educated, while Islam has given equal rights to the women to get educated as well. It is the duty of the father to educate his daughter and for the husband to educate his wife with all good intentions.

Shyness and modesty are two of the spiritual ornaments for a woman in Islam, but this does not mean that they should feel shy in seeking knowledge. If a woman does not have knowledge in something, then she should not feel shy in asking someone who has knowledge in the relevant topic. It is better to ask than to get misled in something which is not known. Many times, there are questions related to topics which a woman feels shy in talking about. But it is better to overcome that shyness rather than not having any knowledge at all.

It was narrated from Ibn Umar that the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said:

“Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock. The man is the shepherd of his family and is responsible for them…”

The man’s care and kindness to his family is not only limited to provide food, drink and clothing, but also comprises of giving knowledge and in teaching the right things to the family.

If the husband does not possess enough knowledge that can answer questions asked by his wife, then it’s his duty to seek knowledge from someone else who is knowledgeable in the matter.

Kindly wait for more upcoming chapters which will at least provide basic information that will be helpful for Muslim women.