It is well-established fact that much work had to be done in pre-Islamic Arabia to elevate society and cultivate virtuous persons with firm and knowledgeable faith. Women were particularly victimized by widespread inequality that was a part of the social norm at the time.
They had no rights or claim to any of the positions in society which was much to do with the norms in the existing civilizations of the time. Women did not have the same privileges as men and were subjected to discrimination in society.
Then came the light of Islam and gradually abolished these injustices and uplifted the status of women through prophetic guidance.
Among the handful of persons who embraced the faith of Islam initially was Shifa bint Abdullah R.A.
Despite all of the difficulties, there have been Muslim women who have risen above the injustices and become inspirational personalities. Shifa Bint Abdullah r.a. is one of them.
A woman of extreme intelligence, Shifa bint Abdullah was highly respected for her learning and wisdom. Al-Shifa was an expert educationist and taught others. In fact, the Prophet requested that she teach his wife, Hafsah bint Umar, how to read and write-She did so.
Medicinal science was an underdeveloped discipline, but Shifa was skilled in what was known at that time. In fact, owing to her expertise in medical therapy, the Prophet also asked her to educate Hafsah on how to cure a skin ailment that looks to be eczema based on its description.
أَلَا تُعَلِّمِينَ هَذِهِ رُقْيَةَ النَّمْلَةِ كَمَا عَلَّمْتِيهَا الْكِتَابَةَ؟
“Will you not teach (Hafsa r.a.) the cure for Ant bites (skin eruptions) as you have taught her writing?”
(Sunan Abi Dawud)
Apart from being a medicinal expert, Shifa was among the Muslims who immigrated with the Prophet to Madinah. The prophet used to visit Al-Shifa, and sometimes he would have a nap in her home.
Al-Shifa would ask the Prophet some questions of religion and attend the mosque, which helped her become a good scholar in her own right.
Her home in Madinah was close to the Prophet s.aw’s mosque and the Madinah marketplace.
The Prophet s.a.w. and subsequently Sayyidina Umar r.a. used to counsel her on financial problems based on this principle, forming a sense of trust between them.
Umar r.a. placed a great responsibility on her as he trusted her views and judgment. Whenever Shifa r.a. offered her perspective, He would precede it over others as she showed competency and capability in her duties.
Shifa was well-known for her expertise in a variety of subjects. She was recognized as one of the most brilliant and noblewomen of the period by Ibn Hajar Al-‘Asqalani.
During the caliphate of Umar ibn Khitaab (r.a), it was important that supervision should be provided in the marketplace. He appointed Al-Shifa as the market controller in Madinah.
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Her job was to ensure that activities at the market were always in line with Islam. She would walk throughout the market, checking for any signs of trickery or deception, as well as ensuring that both the buyer and the vendor adhered to Islamic ideals.
If shops had any doubts regarding the validity of a specific transaction, Umar advised them to consult Al-Shifa. He put his faith in her understanding of Islam.
Her appointment was highly successful and then Hazrat Umar felt that it was advantageous to have a market controller, he appointed one in Makkah as well.
In Makkah, he also selected a woman, Samra’ bint Nuhayk, as market supervisor, which goes against our preconceived notions of Islamic culture.