Q: Apart from worshipping Allah, procreation and serving their husband's what other purpose does a Muslim woman have?
A: Allah Ta'ala has blessed males and females with many opportunities, even though their roles may differ. There is no reason for a woman to feel inferior in any way. The below hadith expounds on the great virtues a woman can acquire if she fulfils the roles for which Allah Ta'ala has created her.
Hazrat Asmaa bint Yazeed Al-Ansaariyyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), a Sahaabiyyah from the Banu Abdil Ash-hal clan, once approached Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) while he was seated among the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) and addressed him in the following words:
“May my father and mother be sacrificed for you! I have come to you as a representative of the women. May my life be sacrificed for you! Every single woman, in the east and west, whether she has heard that I have come to you or not, will have exactly the same question as myself. Verily Allah Ta‘ala has sent you with the truth to men and women. We brought Imaan in you and in Allah Ta‘ala who deputed you.
“We, the women, live within the confines of our homes and are restricted from exposing ourselves and doing many things that the men are able to fulfil. We remain confined to our homes. We allow you to fulfil your needs and desires with us, and we bear your children. You, the men, have been favoured by Allah Ta‘ala by being able to attend the jumu‘ah salaah and other salaahs in congregation (whereas we women perform our salaah within our homes). You are able to visit the sick and be present at funerals. You perform hajj after hajj and even more virtuous than that is your participating in jihad in the path of Allah Ta‘ala. When any of you men leave your home to perform hajj or umrah or to guard the borders of the Islamic territories, it is none other than us women who protect your wealth for you. We sew your clothes for you. We raise and care for your children. Do we not have a share in your reward, O Rasul of Allah Ta‘ala?”
On hearing the question of this woman, Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) turned his face towards the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) and asked, “Have you ever heard a woman ask a question regarding her Deen more excellent than the question of this woman?” The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) replied, “O Rasul of Allah Ta‘ala! We never imagined that a woman could be inspired to ask a question of this nature!”
Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then turned to her and said, “Return, O woman, and inform all the women you represent that for you to display excellent conduct with your husband, seek to keep him happy and try your utmost to comply and cooperate with him will enable you to be equal with him in all the good deeds which you have mentioned that men carry out.”
Hazrat Asmaa (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was so delighted with the answer of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), that as she walked away, she continued to exclaim “Allahu Akbar!” and “La ilaaha illallah!” out of joy and excitement. (Shu‘abul Imaan #8369)
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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