Ramadan
My Dear Ramadan Stay-at-Home Mom, I Salute You
My dear Ramadan stay-at-home mom,
I know how much pain it causes you to stay behind at home, taking care of your children while everybody else is enjoying their ṣalāt and tarāwīḥ at the masjid. I know how embarrassing it is for you to come to the masjid with a great hope to be welcomed; you and your little child only to receive the angry looks upon hearing the first cry of your child. I know how much you yearn to go back to the old days before you got married or before you had children, to enjoy a peaceful hour of ‘ibādah at the masjid and to have no worries about anything else in the world, let alone a child under your care. I know that all of this is not even close to how you feel about yourself and Ramadan, or about your self-worth in this blessed month of Ramadan while trying to enjoy your ‘ibādah and fulfill your spousal and parental role all at the same time. For all of this and more, my dear Ramadan stay-at-home mom, I salute you, and may Allah reward you.
Let me share with you few things hopefully it will cheer you up during your stay at home experience in this month of Ramadan.
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1. You are not alone in this.
Even the female companions of Rasūlullāh 
felt the same way. They were watching men going to the masjid, attending Jumu‘ah and ṣalāt with the Messenger of Allah , listening to the beautiful reminders about this world and the hereafter and doing so many other great deeds. As they were confined to their houses and to the care of their families, they felt underachieving and as if they were left out. How could they even match men in reward when they could not do so much? The answer came from the Messenger of Allah himself.
Asmā’ bint’l-Sakan al-Anṣāriyyah, on behalf of the women in Madīnah, came to the Prophet while he was surrounded by his companions and asked boldly: “O Messenger of Allah! The men have taken all your time…” and she complained that men are entitled to the reward of the congregational prayers, Fridays, fighting with him and other works of good deeds while women were confined to their houses and taking care of their children. She asked if women share men in the reward for what they are doing. The Messenger of Allah replied, “Go back to the women who sent you and let them know that treating their husbands kindly and taking care of them is equivalent to that all you mentioned.” Reported by al-Bazzar and al-Ṭabarāni
This ḥadīth has always been used to highlight the status of husbands over their wives. Unfortunately, rarely was it used to the advantage of women. This ḥadīth gives women the privilege of earning the reward for participating in a myriad of devotional acts such as ṣalāt, fasting, Ḥajj among many other good deeds only by taking care of one single thing, the familial duty. Taking care of the house chores and being kind to the husband are not that easy either, but it’s what most women usually and normally do. They are kind by nature, and sacrifice their lives for their family. They are being rewarded immensely for what they naturally do. This is why spousal duty was made the most dangerous for women to neglect, because it was the most rewarding.
2. Don’t be sad about praying at home
One of the biggest misconceptions about ṣalāt at the masjid is that it is considered a privilege and is only granted to men. Well, it’s not a privilege. It’s a responsibility that men are required to observe at all times unless there is an excuse for them not attend.
When a blind man, Ibn Umm Maktoom, asked the Messenger of Allah to excuse him from attending congregational ṣalāt at the masjid, he had no one to lead him to the masjid. The Messenger of Allah asked him if he was able to hear the adhān, and upon replying in the affirmative, the Messenger of Allah said to him, “I have no excuse for you.” Reported by Muslim and Aḥmad. And in the ḥadīth of Abu Hurayrah in Bukhāri and Muslim, the Messenger of Allah threatened to smoke men out of their houses for not attending ‘ishā’and fajr ṣalāt in the masjid.
Therefore, for men it is a duty to attend the masjid and not a privilege. Their reward starts higher at the masjid and is reduced elsewhere while for women it’s the opposite.
3. You can still come to the masjid
As long as they maintain the proper dress code and etiquette for going to the masjid, women can still come and attend ṣalāt at the masjid. So don’t take me wrong when I say it’s better for them to pray at home, the Messenger of Allah has granted them this right in the ḥadīth:
“Do not ban the female slaves of Allah (i.e. women) from attending the houses of Allah (i.e. masjids).” reported by Bukhāri and Muslim.
However, women were given a privilege many men wish they had, which is to get the reward for praying at the masjid while still doing it at home. The Messenger of Allah said, “A woman’s ṣalāt at home is better for her than at the masjid.” Reported by Aḥmad, Abu Dāwūd and al-Tirmidhi.
The question is, why? Is it because women are unworthy of coming and attending ṣalāt in the house of Allah? Is it because they are inferior to men? The answer is absolutely no! It is simply a beautiful gesture from the Messenger of Allah in consideration to women’s hectic circumstances at home.
Imagine this: to get the 27 degrees reward for congregational prayer, a mother of three young children is required to attend the masjid regularly? How feasible could that be? Not that easy for sure. As a matter of fact, it would be frustrating and perhaps a reason for women to feel guilty and trapped in their own circumstances. Well, rest assured my dear Ramadan stay-at-home mom, your reward has been secured for you while doing what you usually do with no extra effort on your part. Men, on the other hand, are required to make the effort and the trip to the masjid to attend the congregational prayer. As for you, all you need to do is just make your wuḍū’ at home, and pray your ṣalāt on time and enjoy your stay at home.
4. Why should women come to the masjid?
Why would women even want to attend the masjid? There are so many legitimate reasons for that, but enough for them is the right Allah’s Messenger granted them. However, here in the West, there aren’t that many outlets for women to learn their dīn and learn how to practice it in private or public life, and for many, the masjid is the only outlet there. In addition to that, the masjid has become a community center in which families get together and enjoy being in a safe haven. The question for Muslims in the West is not “should women come to the masjid?” but “how can we make the best accommodation for them?”
My dear Ramadan stay-at-home mom,
You might ask, “what if I want to come to the masjid to attend tarāwīḥ?” What’s wrong with that? There is nothing wrong with it unless it leads to neglecting more important duties and family priorities. This issue of women coming to the masjid for tarāwīḥ represents a very important community dilemma: are masjids well prepared to receive that many sisters and children?
Many masjids and Islamic centers in America were designed based on how masjids are built in traditional Muslim countries. In these countries, women were not expected to attend the masjid – not necessarily because they were discouraged from attending, although in some countries it is the case, but also because women had many other outlets besides the masjid from which they could learn the practice of their dīn and enjoy spiritual experience. Therefore, the women’s section was always underserved and sometimes completely overlooked.
The Islamic centers in America and the West were designed and planned when the community was predominantly an immigrant community, and women were also expected to follow the same traditional role. In many cases, community leaders didn’t even think about it as an issue, but with the rise of the new generation and their struggle to fit youth programs within the structure of the masjid, women needed better service at these masjids. Many new masjids today are being designed and built with this need in the minds of the designers and, contrary to traditional masjids, are viewed as family-friendly masjids.
Masjids with traditional designs were not prepared to receive many women and children. They don’t have the space, the childcare service, and in many cases the proper women organization for these kinds of events, not to mention the parking spaces. Therefore, if some centers were hostile to women and children from a fiqh point of view, others simply just don’t have the proper facility to offer even a mediocre service let alone a professional one for them.
5. Your period is for your recreation
My dear Ramadan stay-at-home mom,
Don’t you sometimes want to take a break from so many things in life, such as waking up early for fajr, so you can take that extra time you deserve for rest? Well, you work so hard and you deserve that break. When you are asked to stop fasting and praying during this time and required to stay at home instead of coming to the masjid, it does not mean you are less righteous. The ḥadīth women are “naqisatu ‘aqlin wa dīn” refers to women’s reason and practice of devotional acts as being less comparing to men (and this is not the place to debate the meaning of this ḥadīth). The ḥadīth speaks about “less” in what women do, not less in who they are or what they become during that time of the month. It’s about quantity not quality.
When the Messenger of Allah explained his words, he counted what women usually stop doing during their period, not what they stop becoming, because they never stop becoming devotional or righteous because of what they have no control over (i.e. their period).
Obviously if you stop practicing particular devotional duties during your period for few days it does not make you less righteous, it only makes you less “doing.” After all, even women such as Khadījah, Fāṭimah and ‘Ā’ishah were menstruating women, and still they were by far of the most righteous, among women and men, of all time.
Therefore, when your period starts it is more righteous and more devotional to stop great devotional acts such as ṣalāt, fasting, reciting the Qur’an and attending the masjid. Sounds like a paradox, but it is what it is. It’s all about obeying Allah 
and His Messenger Muhammad . However, you can still do lots of other good deeds, including reading tafsīr and the translation of the Qur’an.
My dear Ramadan stay-at-home mom,
If you decided to come to the masjid with your children, unless the masjid provides childcare service, please make sure your children stay under your supervision and make sure to respect your masjid’s regulations. The ḥadīth that bans children from attending the masjid is very weak, but being considerate to others is still essential too. Here are few suggestions you may want to consider:
1. Try to get a group of sisters together to take turns babysitting their children in the masjid. A couple of sisters can stay with the children while the others pray, and after two or four rakʿahs they switch until the end of the ṣalāt.
2. If the masjid does not have enough room, you could babysit at the house of one the participating families. In this case, you stay at home one night while others pray and then rotate so that everybody gets a chance to host the children and enjoy praying.
3. Young parents?! The husband and wife can help each other in the same manner – it is part of being kind to one another. I have also seen some young fathers get together in one house and do their tarāwīḥ in jama‘ah at home with their young babies around and their wives pray that night at the masjid. It’s your priority to pray at the masjid, but part of your good manners is to consider your wife’s need too.
My dear Ramadan stay-at-home mom,
If you decided to pray at home, here are few tips for you:
1. Pray with your children if you can, and lead them even if they were boys younger than ten.
2. Do not follow any live broadcast of ṣalātul tarāwīḥ of the Internet or TV. Pray on your own.
3. Even though it’s permissible to hold the muṣḥaf and recite from the Qur’an directly, it is still better for you to recite from memory.
4. If you don’t know much of the Qur’an, you can still repeat the same sūrah over and over again until the recitation is long enough for you.
5. It is permissible to dim the lights around the house in order to get more focus and concentration.
6. Pray it in the best way you can, and may Allah reward you for your good intention.
My dear Ramadan stay-at-home mom,
Thank you for your patience.
Yaser Birjas
4th of Ramadan 1433
July 24, 2012
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Babar Khan
July 27, 2012 at 8:25 AM
Barakullah feek ustaad. I emailed it home and read it, this article comes at a great time. i didnt even know the author until the end. May Allah continue to bless you and your family with good in this life and the next. Ameen.
Faith Barrow-Waheed
July 27, 2012 at 9:53 AM
Barakallah for writing this article. I’m not married and don’t have any children, so I still get the chance to go to Taraweeh on regular basis without having other responsibilities at home.
One thing that I think may be helpful is switching roles every once in a while. Maybe one night out of the week during Ramadan, a father can stay home with the children while a mother goes to Taraweeh prayers. It would allow her to spend time with the rest of the community and enjoy the prayer and fellowship with other Muslims without worrying about her children crying or getting restless. While stay at home moms primary responsibility may be the home, I’m sure they still want to come to the masjid and be with the community.
Abu Sufian
July 30, 2012 at 4:16 PM
Men should be attending the congregational prayers so this is not a good option to switch with their wives. It’s not like we’re talking about diaper duties or the like.
umm ahmad
July 31, 2012 at 3:34 AM
Even the prophet peace be upon him prayed taraweeh at home occasionally, so as not to burden his ummah with this sunnah prayer. why can’t a man be doing the same once in a while?
Mahdi Hassan
August 1, 2012 at 3:40 PM
One can always pray Isha and leave.
Faith Barrow-Waheed
August 3, 2012 at 10:00 AM
Yes, men should make the fard salat in congregation. However, Taraweeh salat is not fard. Seriously, a man cannot make Taraweeh at home once a week or even let his wife attend Taraweeh once a week while attending to the children? I have seen couples where the man does attend Taraweeh most nights but sometimes attends to the children so that his wife can pray Taraweeh in peace.
Heather
August 4, 2012 at 6:23 AM
The distinction between fard and sunnah prayers is what is key here.
Umm Reham
August 15, 2012 at 1:39 AM
We live very close to the Masjid so me and my husband decided that he will go pray isha and pray 4 rakahs of taraweeh and will come back and then I will go and pray the last 4. During the last ten nights, he is praying the whole taraweeh and I go with my sister and my mother to the masjid for qiyaam ul layal while he does his worship at home( since we have an year old daughter at home). Allhumdulilah it has worked for us wonderfully. Allhumdulilah for such an understanding and kind husband.
tired muslimah
June 23, 2016 at 2:45 PM
Taraweeh is not obligatory sooo the husband and wife can switch.
Jessi
July 27, 2012 at 10:02 AM
Thank you so much, Sheikh. Your message to us touches the heart and is also greatly needed.
This is beautiful and I cannot express enough how I appreciate being spoken to in such a respectful, intelligent way.
Jazak Allah khairan and may you and your family experience a blessed Ramadan in which you are given forgiveness from your Lord and are emancipated from the fire of Hell, ameen.
Umm Ibraheem Ashmin
July 27, 2012 at 11:07 AM
Jazza kallahu khayran wa barakallahu feeki for such a GREAT and I mean A GREAT ARTICLE!!
Umm armaraa
July 27, 2012 at 11:14 AM
Jazakallah khair for considering us stay at home moms and giving us a boost .
Madz
July 27, 2012 at 12:46 PM
JZK for this! I feel less guilty and more proud of my duties!
Angie Ellaboudy
July 27, 2012 at 12:56 PM
Barak Allahu fik, beautiful article and reminder.
Um Sumayyah
Hibz
July 27, 2012 at 2:16 PM
JAZAAAKUM ALLAH KHAYRUN; Very Much Needed & Heartfelt Article Alhamduilah
Bariah
July 27, 2012 at 2:53 PM
how beautiful. Jazak Allah Khayran from stay home, homeschoolng mom of three.
Alia H.
July 27, 2012 at 3:10 PM
In point #5. Did you really meant to say this ”
It’s about quantity not quality.”?
I thought its other way. Jazakumullah kheiran for the awesome article! May Allah(swt) enable us all moms to make most of our time and oppurtunities while maintaining our duties (Ameen)
Ali Fiaz
July 27, 2012 at 4:57 PM
I believe the shaykh is referring the hadith as he is explaining what it implies.
Heather
August 4, 2012 at 6:15 AM
I think he meant women do less quantity, not less quality of worship. What we do 3 weeks out of the month is equal to a man’s 4 weeks. :)
A Muslim Sister
July 27, 2012 at 3:18 PM
That was an awesome article Shaikh Birjas. You made me more proud of my role as a Mom. May Allah protect you and preserve you.
Hafsa
July 27, 2012 at 4:25 PM
As salam alaikum,
Having faced this issue with all my 3 kids, I decided to do something about it. Alhamdulillah, Allah has been very kind to me. I worked with my masjid board to set up childcare programs during Tarawih salah. We made attractive and engaging activities for the kids related to Islam and they love coming to childcare. This way, Inshallah, a few mothers, whose kids are 3 and above can also pray peacefully.
Tiger
July 27, 2012 at 5:34 PM
Surprised that this is written by a man. What on earth is a -stay-at-home mom. For your kind information, women are supposed to stay at home.
P.S. Why don’t muslimmatters scholars cover their heads?
Aiiiiiiiiiiiiii
July 27, 2012 at 5:53 PM
>The question is, why? Is it because women are unworthy of coming and attending ṣalāt
in the house of Allah? Is it because they are inferior to men? The
answer is absolutely no! It is simply a beautiful gesture from the
Messenger of Allah in consideration to women’s hectic circumstances at
home.
It was keeping women’s safety in mind.
However, women were given a privilege many men wish they had, which is to get the reward for praying at the masjid while still doing it at home. The Messenger of Allah said, “A woman’s ṣalāt at home is better for her than at the masjid.” Reported by Aḥmad, Abu Dāwūd and al-Tirmidhi.
Better for her, not better than men’s.
Tiger
July 27, 2012 at 5:59 PM
know how much pain it causes you to stay behind at home, taking care of your children while everybody else is enjoying their ṣalāt and tarāwīḥ at the masjid.
How about, I know how much fun you have playing with your children while men have to go to the masjid on empty stomachs, and pray taraweeh till their legs hurt.
The whole article is nonsensical, aimed at pleasing women.
Hassen Morad
July 27, 2012 at 9:35 PM
masha’Allah ya Shaykh Tiger, what beautiful akhlaaq!
Maheen
July 27, 2012 at 11:37 PM
When reading this garbage folks, please remember to say, “I am fasting, I am fasting.”
Maheen
July 27, 2012 at 11:39 PM
the garbage is not the article but Tiger’s comment, just to clarify.
asima
July 31, 2012 at 4:51 AM
Jazakallah for the article…the article makes it v.v.clear about the different aspects and rulings on women praying at home…and indeed the article might be a relaxing one to many like me…often in masjids i have seen women praying very distracted with the kids around and at the same time it distracts the others who have come only to pray…so what i advice those who go to masjid is keep in mind to points..”the lady shud be ale to concentrate in her prayers with the kid with her at the mosque, and at the same time she should not create a nuisance for the others who have come only to pray.’ Otherwise its advisable for her to pray at home after she is done with all household priorities, feed kids and let them their way and then pray woth full khushooh which is more important than the place u pray…
Amal Barbari
August 2, 2012 at 10:15 AM
Mashaallah, may Allah swt truly reward the author of this piece. It speaks volumes to someone like myself choosing for the first time in my life to stay home during ramadhan as I have 5 small children; and although I know I can go if I want to, I wouldn’t be able to focus fully worrying their whereabouts.
Further, this is not an ode to moms who don’t work. The author is shedding some light on the misconceptions about those moms who choose to stay at home during ramadhan.
Shom
July 15, 2013 at 7:08 PM
To tiger
Are u out of your mind?
TARANNUM
July 27, 2012 at 7:13 PM
ASA,
This was much needed. The acnowledgement that we work hard is very important. May Allah protect you and your family always. Its definately a 5 star
JAK
UmMuhammad
July 27, 2012 at 11:03 PM
Jazak Allaahu khairun for your advice and touching on this imp topic
bariah
July 28, 2012 at 5:46 AM
I just want to say one more thing, that this article’s tone is a wonderful reminder about how women should be addressed and instructed. If you say the same things to a woman with a harsh or commanding tone, she is going to hate on you. There is so much wisdom in the sunnah and I am so glad Sheikh Birjas is addressing the ladies in this way, which is probably why I have recieved this article in so many emails, over the last 24 hours :D
Aiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
July 28, 2012 at 4:16 PM
Here is my position. I do not agree with the author when he says that women are told to pray at home because of their hectic schedule. Two reasons why.
1. Men’s schedule can be and often is more hectic.
2. It is keeping women’s safety in mind.
Hazrat Abdullah bin Omar (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (SAW)
said, “Do not prevent your women from attending the masjid, even though
their houses are better for them” [Sunan Abu Dawood]
HOWEVER
Hazrat Aisha (RA) has been reported to have said, “If the Messenger of
Allah (SAW) was alive to see what women are doing now, he would surely
have prevented them from entering the masjid for prayer just as women of
Banu Israel were prevented” [Sahih al-Bukhari]
“It is disliked for women to attend congregational
prayers in the masjid even for Eid and Juma prayers, and even for old
women attending night prayers, according to the more reliable position
in Hanafi School, due to the corruption of time.” [Imam al-Haskafi, Radd al-Muhtar ala al-Durr, 1/566]
When even during the time of the Prophet (PBUH) there was corruption, then what about now.
I am sorry but the author has got the base wrong.
Judiyy
July 28, 2012 at 7:01 PM
Corruption? Women in the west don’t have outlets like they do in Muslim countries, as he said. Men do not have schedules that are any more hectic, allow. Gender does not define your daily schedule. Most men can’t even watch kids for 5 minutes let alone a whole day. Your claim doesn’t make sense, as he explained all your refutations in his article already. I live far away from a Masjid and I know every-time I go to the Masjid it’s a huge Imaan boost, since my family is non Muslim, and I’m not really around the Muslim community too often. And yes, it’s hectic for women to try to attend the Masjid all the time as he said, because she may cook, clean, (not because she has to, this isn’t required upon women) take care of kids, her husband etc. etc. etc.
Judiyy
July 28, 2012 at 7:03 PM
You are basically saying women don’t work as hard as men, I’m sure many would disagree.
Aiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
July 28, 2012 at 7:04 PM
And where did I talk about work?
Judiyy
July 28, 2012 at 7:06 PM
By saying women’s schedules aren’t as hectic.
Aiiiiiiiiiiii
July 30, 2012 at 2:13 PM
The author sounds like men don’t work hard. That is all. Sorry about the confusion.
Best Regards.
Nuraini
August 3, 2012 at 11:30 PM
If men’s schedules are more hectic it is immaterial – unless the man is a stay at home husband.
The things in typical men’s schedules that occupy their time do not tie them to the home – the women’s often do. How else are you going to deal with the household and child matters, if not actually in the house? That’s the issue that was recognised and addressed as described in the article. It is not just the time issue, but the location – and thus ability to be mobile – where you are bound to in the course of doing your duties.
UmmIbraheem
August 6, 2012 at 12:03 AM
We should have better akhlaaq than this when disagreeing with the leaders of our community and other Muslims, sister. It is not just some random-internet author who wrote the article, but a learned shaykh/imam.
Also, it would seem that you were arguing about something you agree with the author on :)
wAllahu ‘Alam if you are a mother/father or not, but as a mother of three kids (about to have four) I was offended by you saying that women don’t have a hectic schedule (sorry if I misunderstood). It varies from household to household, but mothers — not matter where they live or if they have help — work 24/7. They even work at night when they have to wake up with their children :)
Reina
July 28, 2012 at 4:57 PM
Jazaak Allaahu khayran, Wonderful and helpful article.
Perspective
July 29, 2012 at 2:20 AM
I don’t see any need for the title of this article to specifically reference “stay-at-home” moms rather than simply ALL moms. The author may be shocked to hear this – but working mothers face the exact same situations in terms of taraweeh/periods/praying at home etc (gasp!). The use of semantics like this to push specific agendas regarding women needs to stop.
Dr/mom
July 29, 2012 at 1:58 PM
I believe the dear sheikh was referring to moms who stay home during Ramadan’s taraweeh prayers and jummah. I don’t believe he was pushing any agenda. Sounded like a playful spin on the term stay at home in order to shed light on the issue of women staying at home for prayers.
Perspective
July 29, 2012 at 7:48 PM
Thank you for the clarification. If it truly is a playful spin on the term, than that’s all fine. Although I still find it hard to believe that there’s absolutely no alternate agenda. I make this comment only after reading another article on MM by the sheikh advising young women to significantly downplay their academic accomplishments and professional goals in order to get married, because men want a “traditional” wife. The article essentially told women to present themselves as appealing homemakers rather than educated and accomplished individuals. The article could very well have encouraged men to not be intimated by educated women, explaining that employment and family are no longer mutually exclusive for women. However it took a completely different route. After reading it, I can’t help but see remnants of that attitude in this article as well.
Layla
July 31, 2012 at 5:42 AM
I absolutely agree, no doubt the role of the mother is very important, that does not mean we undermine every woman who has great academic potential and can balance the two spheres in her life. Sadly, in our Muslim community today the constricting attitude is the most common one.
saud
August 10, 2012 at 11:36 AM
At the risk of oversimplifying this issue, the general principle in this life is you cannot have your cake and eat it. If a woman chooses to leave her children to the care of others, be it her parents or a creche, the children will lose something in their development. There are no two ways about it. This life is about sacrifice. Looking after kids 24/7 is difficult.. who said it wasn’t. I’m sure it can get tedious as well… but hey, why do you think the child loves the mother three times before the Dad?
Hira
July 30, 2012 at 11:56 PM
I thought the same thing! Find me a nanny watch my kids at 12 am!the term SAHM is thr too often! Dnt get it.
Umm Ibraheem
July 29, 2012 at 7:21 PM
We have to also consider if it’s safe for a woman to go to Taraweeh prayers without a male accompanying her. Here in Uk, prayers finish past midnight and I forgone wouldn’t want to get in the car alone and drive at that time. So the idea of husband and wife taking turns going for taraweeh may be impractical.
Umm Ibraheem
July 29, 2012 at 7:22 PM
for one
Perspective
July 31, 2012 at 6:40 PM
In most developed parts of the world (UK included), its perfectly safe for a woman to drive herself from point A to point B, even at midnight. In fact, women do it literally all the time. Unfortunately for many Muslim women, this level of mobility has never been experienced, and is therefore often unnecessarily feared. As women, we shouldn’t limit ourselves so easily…I’m sure you’ll find that others impose enough limitations as is. Just something to keep in mind before automatically rejecting the suggestion of taking turns with your husband for taraweeh.
Faith Barrow-Waheed
August 3, 2012 at 10:09 AM
I live in the US and have lived in some pretty dangerous neighborhoods. Travelling alone at night was never an issue. I made sure I was always aware of my surroundings, never carried things like purses at night, never walked down poorly lit streets at night by myself. Of course, these tips (with the exception of the purse one), also apply to men who travel at night. I’ve actually caught mass transit in a big city by myself at night and been just fine. Driving, as Perspective mentioned, makes things even safer. I’ve driven at night by myself and been just fine. We really shouldn’t restrict ourselves with these barriers. What about sisters who aren’t married and live alone? Should they never attend Taraweeh prayers because they don’t have a brother to travel with them?
Hira
July 30, 2012 at 4:01 PM
Why did u call the article “stay at home mom” ..when I ws SAHM I cod atleast sleep aft taraweeh. I work n I have two kids…u cod have jus said moms..
ummmanar
July 30, 2012 at 9:42 PM
as slam alikum
Jazakallhu kiran shiek yesser for the wonerful post
Haseeb Hamid
July 31, 2012 at 2:52 AM
JazakAllahu khair for the beautiful post.
um talhah
August 1, 2012 at 6:33 AM
as salam alaikum,
a very beautifully written, heart-felt and heart-touching article. and ma sha Allah the article tackles the topic from every angle.
barikAllahu feek.
may Allah reward the shaikh, (his wife with their 3 kids :)), the entire mm team and whoever else was involved in bringing this beneficial piece to us.
Suzanne
August 1, 2012 at 5:20 PM
Beautifully written article full of information and inspiration. Jezaak allahu Khairun
sykha
August 1, 2012 at 6:39 PM
Very inspiring and touching. God bless… Jzk
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Umm Esa
August 6, 2012 at 12:54 AM
JazakAllahu khayran Shaykh Yaser Birjas for your words. It is very encouraging to hear this coming out of an imam/leader. May Allah increase you in knowledge and patience, and allow you to guide the ummah to the best ways, pleasing to Allah and His messenger (peace be upon him).
Umm Esa
August 6, 2012 at 1:04 AM
When you are a stay at home mom, you are expected to watch your kids 24/7. It becomes extremely troubling and burdensome. This article provides fresh breeze to disheartened mothers.
If you are a working mother, then hopefully, you and your husband have already chosen an egalitarian lifestyle; therefore, duties at home, and caretaking of kids have been divided evenly. You can take turns. There is no need to worry about this article. Just take it as a grain of salt.
As for single parents, whether father or mother, there needs to be a different article written on taking care of the needs.
Aliya
August 7, 2012 at 5:24 AM
I knew from the first paragraph this was written by a man. Putting the woman who conform to the traditional patriarchy on a pedestal and explaining her why she should be pleased with her position is an old tactic. “Mmmm… you need to be glued to your children 24/7 so if you can’t solve this little problem just stay at home. But hey, don’t be sad – I salute you!”.
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Ejaz Naqvi, MD
August 10, 2012 at 3:53 PM
I truly think the code of conduct expected of a Muslim woman is misunderstood. If all would read the Quran in its original language, I think it would help.
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UmmZenab
August 24, 2012 at 8:04 AM
Asalamualaikum.
Very nice article. I really benefited from it. JazakAllaah br. Yasir Birjas.
I use to feel left out a great deal when my daughter was born. i couldn’t listen to lectures or read the books of tafseer as i used to before she as born or even pray with the same amount of effort as I could before. Normally by salah time I’d be tired and not able to pray as long as I wanted. but as time went by I alhumdulillah, realized that bieng a mom is a great blessing and I don’t think I’d want to trade it for anything in the world. Allaah has blessed me and others like me with kids and made us mothers and that is a responsiblity on us by Allaah. we will be answereable to Allaah for our roles as mothers on the day of Judgement without a doubt so if I have to make a choice between something that I’m held accountable for and doing something that’s optional such as praying taraweeh in the masjid I think preference should be given to my main job shouldn’t it? Of course if I was ever able to go to the masjid without comprimising my main job and duty i’d love to go. infact i’d take my baby along with me so she can get the feel for the masjid enviornment as well. But I don’t feel left out anymore at all.
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