Reaching 'perfection' in faith
Fatwa No: 250033

Question

Asalama 'alaikum. only four women in the history of Islam have perfected their faith, what does it mean to perfect your faith? Does this mean that we will never be able to reach ihsan in worship? Also I have another question is it permissible to make Dua to see RasulAllah sallaAllahualayhiwasallam in a dream because I have been consistently doing so for months and it hasn't happened so I'm started to think its either what I'm doing is not ok or that the problem lies with in me ( sinful during the day, dishonest traits etc) could it be either of these? I sometimes eat food such as chicken which may not be halal, and I think this might have something to do with it. Thank you and May Allah reward you in advance I ask you to please consider answering my question I feel a bit sad because I have posted questions on here before and I never answers but just links to other related topics which didn't answer my question May Allah reward you and have mercy on you this is important to me I need to know

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Perfection was mentioned in the Hadeeth narrated by Abu Moosa Al-Ash‘ari where the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Many amongst men attained perfection but amongst women none attained perfection except Maryam (Mary), the daughter of ‘Imraan and Aasiyah, the wife of Pharaoh…” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Only two women were mentioned in this Hadeeth and not four.

Abu Nu‘aym also cited this Hadeeth in his book Al-Hilyah and Ath-Tha‘labi in his book of Tafseer with the following wording, "Many amongst men attained perfection but amongst women none attained perfection except four: Aasiyah bint Muzaahim, the wife of Pharaoh, Maryam, the daughter of ‘Imraan, Khadeejah bint Khuwaylid, and Faatimah bint Muhammad; and the superiority of ‘Aa’ishah to other women is like the superiority of Thareed (a traditional Arabic meat and bread dish) to all other meals.” For investigating the classification of these Ahaadeeth, you may consult Al-Kash-shaaf by Az-Zayla‘i.

Anas reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Sufficient for you among the women of mankind are Maryam bint ‘Imraan, Khadeejah bint Khuwaylid, Faatimah bint Muhammad, and Aasiyah the wife of Pharaoh.” [Ahmad and At-Tirmithi] Imaam At-Tabaraani cited the same Hadeeth with a different wording, reading, “The best of the women of mankind are …”

Scholars have explained the intended meaning of ‘perfection’ in the context of the Hadeeth. An-Nawawi said, “The word perfection is used to describe something that is the best, the ultimate in its class. What is meant here is that they had attained the highest degree of all the virtues (that belong to women), righteousness and Taqwa (piety).” [Sharh Saheeh Muslim] However, the Hadeeth does not mean that no other woman may attain such a refined status of perfection as well. An-Nawawi also reported that Al-Fudhayl ibn ‘Iyaadh said, “Even if we held that they (Aasiyah and Maryam) were not prophetesses; rather, they were close allies of Allaah, this does not mean that no other woman can attain such a refined status.” Indeed, the majority of Muslim scholars maintained that both Maryam and Aasiyah were not prophetesses; rather, they were Siddeeqahs (i.e. those who speak or testify to the truth) and close allies to Allaah.

There is no harm in supplicating Allaah to bless the person with seeing the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, in his dreams. When someone is deprived of seeing the Prophet in his dreams, it is not necessarily because of his sins. It is still a possibility, though; one’s sins may be the reason for being deprived of seeing him in one’s dreams. Hence, one should repent to Allaah of his past sins as a means of seeking the blessing of seeing the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Moreover, one should keenly follow the example of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, defend and uphold his Sunnah by means of learning and applying it in his life, and invoke blessings on the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, quite often, for this may be a cause for seeing him in one’s dreams in this worldly life and attaining what is even greater in the Hereafter - namely, his companionship in Paradise.

Finally, we would like to warn you against eating the meat of animals or birds that you have doubts about the way they were slaughtered. In fact, most westerners do not pay attention to that serious matter. Consuming the meat of animals and birds that were not slaughtered according to Sharee'ah is perilous to the Muslim’s religion and worldly life. Verily, a Muslim can dispense with what is unlawful by consuming what is lawful, which is abundant.

For more benefit, kindly refer to Fataawa 82504 and 83836.

Allaah Knows best.

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