On International Women’s Day, a question worth asking:

How many of us know that a chapter of the Qur’an was revealed because of a woman’s struggle?

Her name was Khawla bint Tha‘labah.

In a moment of anger, her husband used an old custom that left her neither truly married nor truly free.

But Khawla refused to remain silent.

She went to the Prophet ﷺ.
She spoke.
She pleaded for justice.

Then came the moment when human words reached their limit.

So she raised her hands and turned to Allah.

And Allah heard her.

The opening verses of Surah Al-Mujādilah were revealed, abolishing an unjust practice.

The Qur’an preserved the struggle of a woman in a chapter that will be recited until the end of time.

Is this not one of the most powerful examples of the dignity and justice Islam grants to women?

Inspired by Khawla’s plea to Allah, one may imagine a prayer like this:

O Allah…
You see the hardship I am in.
You know my poverty, my weakness, my silent tears.

If I turn away from all doors,
if every path feels closed,
where else could I go but to You?

If You turn me away,
to whom would I seek refuge?
From whom would I ask for help?
Who could stand for me but You?

I place the weight of this trial before You.
I lay my helplessness in Your care.
You hear even the prayers whispered in the heart.

O Allah…
Do not leave me among those who lose hope in You.
Do not abandon me to despair.

Open a way out of this narrowness,
bring ease from within this darkness.
Create a path where none seems to exist.

Grant peace to our hearts.
Do not leave us without Your help.

You are the One who hears.
You are the One who sees.
And You are the One who answers prayers.

#InternationalWomensDay #KhawlaBintThalabah #SurahMujadilah