At times, I found the explanations to be repetitive, especially when it was common sense. Perhaps the repetitiveness was to reiterate how easy it is to be a good Muslimah and to put greater emphasis on what is an 'Ideal Muslimah.' Muslim also reports from `Urwah (May Allah be pleased with her) via `Ata’: “We heard her using the siwak . . .” An authentic hadith records that more than 70 Companions were injured and many others were martyred (Al-Bukhari, Book no. 59, Hadith no. 322). In his book, “ The Ideal Muslimah: The True Islamic Personality of the Muslim Woman as Defined in the Qur’an and Sunnah”, Dr. Al Hashimi notes that, after joining the Muslim community in the Battle of Uhud, her main objective was humanitarian work. Along with other women, she delivered water to the soldiers and attended to their wounds.

A’ishah (May Allah be pleased with her) used to be very diligent in taking care of her teeth: she never neglected to clean them with a siwak, as Bukhari and Muslim reported from a number of the Sahabah (RAA). The life of Nusaybah is not chronicled in detail. What remains is authenticated and well documented due to her participation in key events in the life of the Prophet and in the early days of Islam. The Muslim woman does not forget to maintain her physical fitness and energy by following the healthy practices recommended by Islam. But she is not content only with the natural, healthy diet referred to above: she also follows an organized exercise program, appropriate to her physical condition, weight, age and social status. These exercises give her body agility, beauty, good health, strength and immunity to disease; this will make her more able to carry out her duties, and more fit to fulfil her role in life, whether it be as a wife or mother, young girl or old woman. Her body and clothes are clean

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Seeing the Prophet left to fend for himself, Nusaybah armed herself, joining the circular formation that was protecting him. Dr. Al Hashimi relates that Nusaybah fought bravely and selflessly in the Prophet’s defense. The Muslim woman also steers clear of drugs and stimulants, especially those which are clearly known to be haram, and she avoids the bad habits that many women have fallen into in societies that have deviated from the guidance of Allah (SWT) and His Messenger, such as staying up late at night to waste time in idle pursuits. There is no worse vessel for the son of Adam to fill than his stomach, but if he must fill it, the let him allow one-third for food, one-third for drink, and one-third for air.” 2

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) never woke from sleeping at any time of day or night without cleaning his teeth with a siwak before performing wudu’“ 10 Books on early Islamic history praise the contributions of the male companions of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It is crucial that we seek to study the contributions of the female companions of the Prophet as well. It was uncommon for women to actually fight in wars, but they had a very important role in rallying the troops, boosting their morale with chants, quenching their thirst in times of extreme heat, and ultimately serving as important helpers to those wounded in battle. This comprehensive work by Dr. Al-Hashimi is a valuable contribution for our English readers who will find the knowledge contained therein truly beneficial and inspiring.

One note on some strange happenings. A woman goes to hell after being a good devout Muslim because she has "a sharp tongue" and a prostitute goes to heaven because she gave water to a dog once? Seems to me that God's ways are so mysterious as to not really matter, you may or may not get on his good side, and you can't possibly hope to know that before destiny is fulfilled. a state of janabah (impurity, e.g. following marital relations), and wear perfume.” 4“Whoever attends Friday prayer, man or woman, should take a bath ( ghusl).” 5 She goes to sleep early and gets up early to start the day’s activities with energy and enthusiasm. She does not weaken her energy with late nights and bad habits; she is always active and efficient, so that her household chores do not exhaust her and she can meet her targets. Seems relevant to current issues, right? Where women are heard and not questioned “why are you in the darkness? what clothes are you wearing? etc etc”. There are many more interesting stories here for many different topics, but you should read it yourself.