14 Aug The Role of Women in the Mission of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.)
The role of women in Islamic history has always been profound, characterized by sacrifices, sincerity, dedication, and selflessness. In the context of the awaited reappearance of Hazrat Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.), a significant question arises: Are women included among the 313 companions of Hazrat Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.)? This article highlights the contributions and responsibilities of women in the holy mission of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.).
The Universal Responsibility of Women in Islam
There is no movement in the world where women have not been involved and have not made significant contributions. Islam has held both men and women equally responsible for their religious duties. All the rules of Islam, with their conditions, are obligatory on both men and women, including prayer, fasting, hajj, zakaat, and khums. In relation to the important responsibility of enjoining good and forbidding evil, Allah the Almighty says:
“And (as for) the believing men and the believing women, they are guardians of each other; they enjoin good and forbid evil and keep up the prayer, pay zakaat and obey Allah and His Messenger, (as for) these, Allah will show mercy to them, Surely Allah is Mighty, Wise.” (Surah Tauba (9), verse 71)
Further, Allah says in the Holy Quran:
“Surely the Muslim men and the Muslim women, and the believing men and the believing women, and the obeying men and the obeying women, and the truthful men and the truthful women, and the patient men and the patient women, and the humble men and the humble women, and the charitable men and the charitable women, and the fasting men and the fasting women, and the men who guard their private parts and the women who guard, and the men who remember Allah much and the women who remember, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a mighty reward.” (Surah Ahzaab (33), verse 35)
In these verses, Allah has mentioned women alongside men, demonstrating that the responsibility of women in Islam is not less than that of men in any case. The reappearance of The Promised Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) will be the practical manifestation of all Islamic teachings. It is a joint responsibility of both men and women to pave the ground for the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.). While the responsibilities are equal, the fields may differ; some may be entrusted with the duty of fighting in the battlefield, while others may be tasked with training soldiers at home.