I am a Muslim Woman!

Woman was made from the rib of man,
She was not created from his head to top him,
Nor form his feet to be stepped upon,
She was made from his side to be close to him,
From beneath his arm to be protected by him,
Near his heart to be loved by him


Until now, we have come to understand some facts about the nature of Adam (peace be upon him)'s creation. We have also come across the mere fact that Ibless had vowed to lead Adam's offspring astray, except those who are chosen and are obedient to their Creator. Moreover, we have learnt that Adam (peace be upon him) was given the knowledge needed to master the earth.

After the creation process and Iblees' refusal to prostrate to Adam (peace be upon him), Adam felt lonely. He would sometimes speak to the angels, but they were preoccupied with worshipping Allah. Hence, as Adam (peace be upon him) was asleep one day, Allah took the shortest rib of Adam (peace be upon him)'s left side, shaped it, and clothed it with flesh. And when Adam (peace be upon him) woke up, he found a woman (Hawa/Eve). Hence, we understand the following verse:
"O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife (Hawwa /Eve),and from them both He created many men and women; and fear Allah throughWhom you demand (your mutual rights), and (do not cut the relations of ) the wombs. Surely Allah is Ever an All-Watcher over you". (4:1)

Ibn Abbas and a group of companions narrate that the following conversation took place between Adam and Hawwa: He asked her: "who are you?" She replied: "A woman/(in arabic imra2ah." He asked: "Why have you been created ?" She said: "So that you could find tranquility in me." Then, the angels asked Adam her name, and he said: "Hawwa/Eve." They asked: "Why was she so named?" He replied: "Because she was created from something living (the rib)" (The word Hawwa in arabic comes from the root "hay" meaning alive). (Ibn Katheer's Stories of the Prophets, 16-17)

Subhan Allah! If one notices, the left rib in a human body is that which covers and protects the heart. It had to be a bent, crooked one to encompass that organ. Some people argue that Hawwa could've just been created from dust too or anything else. Yet, Allah's wisdom includes enforcing the feelings of tranquility and affection between husband and wife: "And among His signs is this, that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect" (30:21)

When a husband truely understands and keeps in mind the origin of Hawwa's creation, how will he ever then mistreat his wife? She is part of him and thus, he will never find tranquility with anyone else but the one Allah has chosen for him. Moreover, the creation of Hawwa directs wives into learning the essence of their creation: Hawwa said: I was created "so that you find tranquility in me". Do most believing women truely keep this in mind ? Do they sincerely seek the tranquility in their lives, peace at home, and affection with their husbands ? A woman knows very well that she has the ability to fill the atmosphere at home with love, care, and tenderness .. and she only has the ability to turn it upside down, if she chooses.

Abu Hurairah narrated that the following are words among our Prophet's last sermon which took place on the 9th of Zul Hijjah, 10 A.H, on the mountain of Arafa: "O people! It is true that you have certain rights over your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under God's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Treat your women well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers" and in another hadeeth: "O Muslims! I advise you to be gentle with women, for they are created from a rib, and the most crooked portion of the rib is its upper part. If you try to straighten it, it will break, and if you leave it, it will remain crooked, so I urge you to take care of women." (Bukhari)

It is so beautiful that among the last words of our Prophet (peace be upon him) are words of advice to be gentle with women. Scholars explain that a woman's nature being "crooked" is not a default or disadvantage. It simply means that she has extra-emotions in comparison to men. And that is why she "covers the mans heart and protects it" like the left rib does. She softens his moods when angry, she supports him when tired, and she advises him when he is weak. Al Hakeem has a wisdom behind how and why every single thing is created. It is of His mercy that a woman had to be more emotional, in order to protect the husband, house, and children sincerely. Adam (peace be upon him) was created from dust/soil, since he is going to be dealing with matters of the earth (land, work, etc), while Hawwa was created from the rib that protects the heart since she was meant to deal with matters of the heart that emerge and reflect in her attitude and daily life. Allah Knows best.