Flowers for the Women Wearing Veils - Volume I — Page 379
! ! 379 third is the reformation of children. No nation in the world can be suc cessful without a specific purpose towards which men, women, and children all work together. Therefore, i t is the duty o f every Jama'at to reform their men, women , and children. The establishment of Lajna is vital for the reformation of women , but I regret to s ay that it has been considered Fard - e - Kafay ah [that which is considered obligatory for the community, so if one member offers it, it is considered offered on the behalf of the whole community ]. Only a few women join the Lajna , and the rest do not believe it is necessary for them to part icipate in this organization. Therefore , it is necessary for Lajna Ima’illah to be established every where and all adult women should participate in it. Not even one member should be excluded , for this is the only way to reform women. I have come to know from reports sent from Delhi that o nly ten to twelve women attend meetings and give lectures. However , as long as even one woman remains excluded, our organization remains incomplete. If we have not made it compulsory to join Lajna, it does not mean that women should also deem it un necessary to join. Our intent is that they happily and willingly join the organization and through this, they attain God Almighty’s blessings and happiness. This is comparable to the Holy Prophet ’s sa instruction that Nafl is a source o f obtaining nearness to God. However, he sa also stated that he sa d id not wish to make anything compulsory with regards to N afl. In the same manner, it is my wish that my children refrain from taking up employment with the government. However, I have never forbidden them from doing so, for if they refrain per my orders, I shall be the one to receive the blessings and not them. The Holy Prophet sa desired to benefit his community in the same manner , therefore he sa placed no restrictions regarding Nafl.