Flowers for the Women Wearing Veils - Volume I — Page 385
! ! 385 My purpose with this introduction is to illustrate that where God Almighty has bestowed women with empathy, a caring heart, a nd a good mind so that she may gain a c lear understanding , He has also instilled clear differences and similarities between men and women. Men should carry out the duties assigned to them according to their differences and women should carry out their own duties. Certainly, where both men and women have shared responsibilities, those are obligatory. For example, where Salāt , fasting, and pilgrimage are incumbent upon men, they are also incumbent upon women, so that each ind ividual can attain their own reward or punishment according to their deeds. This decree is in accordance with God Almighty’s wisdom. However , in terms of war, the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa has said that war is not incumbent upon women. It is ordained for men, while women can tend to the care of the wounded. The actual responsibility of women is the proper care and upbringing of their children , and this responsibility is no le ss than the responsibility of Jihad. If children are raised up properly, then the foundation of the nation is sound , and it can progress. However , if children are not raised up properly, then one day, the nation will certainly be destroyed. Hence, the future prosperity or destruction of any nation hinges upon the women of that nation. If the mothers of today were to morally train their children as the companions ra of the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa did, is it not probable that their children would grow to be warriors of the nation, ready to sacrifice their lives , just as the children of the companions ra of the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa did ? If today, God forbid, any weakness develop s in the Ahmadiyya Jama'at, women will be held responsible. Th us , the responsibility given to mothers is so very important , and even if sincere men desired to carry out the task of proper ly raising their children, they would not have the capacity to do so because the strength and the aptitude to morally train children lies only within w omen. Therefore, you should not take this responsibility lightly, rather you should attend to this responsibility with your utmost attention. How many among you desire that your children be beautiful or healthy? If your child is not very good looking or is not so fair , you