Background

“BadrEthiopia Sisters’ Da’awa group” was founded on September of 2008 in North America and is a subdivision of Badr Ethiopia. It is a group that is entirely dedicated to spreading Islamic knowledge among Muslim sisters. As stated by the following verse from the noble Quran, knowledge is the base for someone who is striving to be close to Allah and is made obligatory to every man and woman in Islam.

“……Those truly fear Allah, among His Servants who have knowledge: for Allah is Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving.” (35:28)

In many countries including Ethiopia, where religion is often intertwined with culture, finding pure and authentic Islamic knowledge for Muslim women has been made difficult for decades. The negative side effect of mixing religion with culture has played an enormous role in holding back Muslim women and has caused them to be victims of ignorance for many years. As a result of their unbearable suffering for decades, some Muslim women search for their liberty in wrong ways and in completely unguided directions. Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah), in this day and age authentic Islamic knowledge is abundantly available to those who seek to acquire it in order to be guided to the straight path and reclaim rights that have been given to them from Allah. The key is not to become so absorbed in a daily life that we intend to forget this act of worship. Islam is sent as a mercy to all mankind and with every affliction that comes to a people it provides a solution. Our solution lies in educating ourselves in Islamic knowledge to better equip ourselves with the tools that will guide us and others in to pleasing Allah. 

Allah has elevated the status of woman through the guidance of Islam and has given her rights and responsibilities. She plays a vital role that requires her to possess certain qualities, thus making her an ideal muslimah.  The Muslim woman is a true woman with high integrity and modesty enjoying true and genuine freedom that is bestowed on her from her Creator. Her role in a society as a mother, wife, daughter and sister demands her to be knowledgeable about her religion in order to make the right decision when needed. After all, she will be asked in front of Allah for the responsibilities she was made in charge of. 

The Messenger of Allaah said, “Each of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. The leader is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. The man is the shepherd of his family and he is responsible for his flock. The woman is the shepherd of her husband’s household and is responsible for her flock. The servant is a shepherd of his master’s wealth and is responsible for his flock.” [Bukhaari, 853; Muslim, 1829]

In a different hadith, the Prophet  explained the role of Muslim women as follows:

"Treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers."
From the last sermon of Prophet Mohammed

Allah has stated in the Quran that men and women are rewarded for their good deeds equally in front of Him but yet they play different roles in this life.

"And wish not for the things which Allaah (swt) has made some of you excel others and for men there is reward for what they have earned and (likewise) for women there is reward for what they have earned, ask Allaah of His bounty, surely, Allaah is ever All-Knower of everything." (Quran, 4:32)

It is very important for Muslim woman to understand and accept her roles and responsibilities that are uniquely different from man and it is also fundamental for her to know her positions in the Islamic society. To embrace her part in the Islamic community gracefully and understand the wisdom behind it, she has to be well versed in her religion from pure and authentic sources.

Allah has given us the best examples with mothers of the believers (wives of the Prophet) and those mentioned in the Quran, such as Meryam. Such great Muslim women, who understood their position and duties in Islamic society, are examples for everyone and worthy of imitation, from whom we all can learn the path of righteousness. As the Prophet Muhammad  said about righteousness,

"This world is just temporary conveniences & the best comfort in this world is a righteous woman."

-Prophet Muhammad

This group aims to enlighten the hearts and minds of Muslim sisters and to encourage them to grasp this great opportunity with the support of sisterhood that they would find in this blessed gathering. This group also aspires to help sisters have a strong participation in becoming a building block to the Muslim community, as all righteous women have done, and support their brothers in Islam to excel furthermore.