Flowers for the Women Wearing Veils - Volume I — Page 9
! ! 9 Foreword for this Edition W hen Hazrat Musleh Mau ‘u d ra delivered his addresses and speeches in the early years, there was no concept of ‘Lajna Ima’illah’ and so the educational and spiritual standard of women was lacking. Hazrat Musleh Mau ‘u d ra countered this by empowering women through establishing Lajna Ima’illah as an organi z ation in 1922 , and nurturing its progress. Hence at many places Hazrat Musleh Mau ‘u d ra , particularly in the early years, alludes to this reality and addresses the women to ignite a sense of honor amongst them so as to awaken the desire to become more empowered and less reliant on men for their religious understanding. Furthermore, Hazrat Musleh Mau‘ud ra recognized the importance of re - establishing women’s status in the community according to the true teachings of Islam during these years. He helped them to realize that God has given them their rights and they must come forward to partic i pate in the service of religion alongside the men , and the Jama'at could not progress without their equal involvement. In this way, the women learned to advance themselves by utiliz ing their hidden capacities as they took up the responsibilities that were required of them. May these addresses continue to uplift women of every age and help them to recognize their potential educationally and spiritually. May they always be ready to serve the Jama'at in striving to please Allah and in doing so come near to Him, Am ī n. Saliha Malik Editor - in - charge