PERSPECTIVE Prof. Lateefah Durosinmi Rev Dr Uzoaku Juliana.
Thanks for the topic and the presentations.
Women's leadership in Faith Communities is highly entrenched in Islam, as Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be on him) is reported to have said "Paradise lays under the feet of your mothers " and further said "If a man have two daughters and train them properly to maturity and give them out in marriage himself and that man will be as close as the two forefinger in paradise " What will be more important for a soul than to enter paradise.
Man is created to know and worship God to work and marry a wife to take care of her and her offspring. The Qur'an says "And of His signs is this: He created for you helpmeets from yourselves that ye might find rest in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy. Lo! herein indeed are portents for folk who reflect". Quran 30:21. And further says "He it is Who did create you from a single soul, and therefrom did make his mate that he might take rest in her. And when he covered her she bore a light burden, and she passed (unnoticed) with it, but when it became heavy they cried unto Allah, their Lord, saying: If thou givest unto us aright we shall be of the thankful". Quran 7:189.
The Quran reveals a characteristic of women that clearly distinguish them from men that Satan has used to destroy humanity " (Women) that which is bred up in outward show, and in dispute cannot make itself plain?" Quran 43:18. OUTWARD SHOW OF WOMEN IS BEING USED BY SATAN FOR ADVERTISEMENTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND POSSIBLY SEDUCING THE MALE FORK TO DISOBEY GOD AND REPRODUCE LESSER HUMAN BEINGS.
The Bible says "also that women should adorn themselves modestly and sensibly in seemly apparel, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly attire but by good deeds, as befits women who profess religion. Let a woman learn in silence with all submissiveness. I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over men; she is to keep silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 1 Timothy 2:9-14. The Quran admonishes married women "O ye wives of the Prophet! Ye are not like any other women. If ye keep your duty (to Allah), then be not soft of speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease aspire (to you), but utter customary speech. And stay in your houses with dignity. And do not embellish yourselves in the style of embellishment during the days of Ignorance. Be regular in prayer, and pay the poor-due, and obey Allah and His messenger. Allah's wish is but to remove uncleanness far from you, O Folk of the Household, and cleanse you with a thorough cleansing." Quran 33:32-33.
The Bible, Quran and the African Traditional Religion forbid Fornication and Adultery The Bible says "Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; 1 Corinthians 6:18-19, while the Qur'an simply puts it "And come not near unto adultery. Lo! it is an abomination and an evil way." Quran 17:32. The Quran calls it abomination that should not be neared. But that is what the women are getting more involved seeking political and government offices because of the new God, humanity have chooses to worship called "MONEY". Foreseen in Bible as the reign of the beast "Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name".Revelation 13:16-17. While in Islam he is known as the Dajjal.
It should be on record that Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be on him) married a woman older than him with 15 years, she was his employer and help him in his ministry as a Prophet of God with her wealth, she died during persecution of early Muslims, and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) buried her with his own hands and never forgot her until his own dying day. Muhammad (PBUH) also married his friend and Successors Abubakar's young daughter who lived long after him to narrate the true character of her husband for the Hadith collections, Muslims benefits to this day.
The women of Prophet Muhammad's time were concerned of their spiritual welfare and complained that most of the wars and public activities for the growth of Islam were carried out by men what of themselves and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) told them that if they take care of their domestic affairs is as good as going to war for the sake of defending their religion. The Quran says "Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loveth not aggressors". Quran 2:190
As it used to be before so it is today we voted for Mr. President and Governor we didn't vote for First ladies. Women are co --partners of the wealth of men earned genuinely or crookedly.
The world is seeing what it deserves as children born out of wedlock are more than the children born in line with the command of the Bible, Quran and African tradition as Nudity is now the height of fashion and shame is worn as a barge of pride. God help humanity. Happy Sunday.
Let us be truthful to ourselves, how will a woman feel if you are called to lead a Muslim congregation in the five daily prayers with men standing behind you as you bow and prostrate on the ground?. And how will the man feel if they are praying shoulder to shoulder in a roll with women who are not their wives?
Or in the Church where men and women are allowed to sing and dance with musical instruments in worship after Service the leader asking the congregation to shake hands together and tell their neighbor "I Love you" what will be the atmosphere in such a Church?
Men and Women are created great by God and will be held accountable by God for their actions. , We have good men and good women, and bad men and bad women But we must agree men and women are not the same. The purpose of a man is different from the purpose of a woman in procreation The Quran says"…….. and further said as the statement above "And if one of them hath tidings of that which he likeneth to the Beneficent One, his countenance becometh black and he is full of inward rage. Quran 43:17
The Quran further says "Beautified for mankind is love of the joys (that come) from women and offspring; and stored-up heaps of gold and silver, and horses branded (with their mark), and cattle and land. That is comfort of the life of the world. Allah! With Him is a more excellent abode". Quran 3:14 while Which man will want his mother, sister, wife and daughter used for that purpose? Or which woman will want to carry pregnancy without the support of the man responsible?
do not encourage the free mixing of men women who are not husbands and wives or close relations because of the dangers of illegitimate relationship which is violation an oath and covenant with God.
The Quran says Men are raiment for women and women are raiment for men "……. It is made lawful for you to go in unto your wives on the night of the fast. They are raiment for you and ye are raiment for them. ……….. Quran 2:187. The truth remains that when a man is with his wife other evil men avoid her likewise when a woman is with her husband other evil women avoid him. Marriage protects men and women in society.
Now the topic - Women Leadership in Faith Communities opportunities and challenges.
Today most human beings no longer worship God but money and the beast who wants men to marry men and women to marry women with the capabilities to restrict trade and devalue global currencies at wish. The Beast is the one promoting WHAT A MAN CAN DO A WOMAN CAN EVEN BETTER. That has creepeth among some married couple’s to the destruction of FAMILY VALUES. Like the case of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan both married couple’s with children and Honourable members of the Senate that have become a national embarrassment.
Keeping the laws of God is for your own good and the good of society.
We pray God to help humanity.
The Quran points a hidden factor in Men that if they hear of the birth of a woman the men are not happy "And if one of them hath tidings of that which he likeneth to the Beneficent One, his countenance becometh black and he is full of inward rage". Quran 43:17. THE REASONS IS KNOWN TO MANKIND.
Marriage is a great honour given to the woman not to animals.