Page 205 - Mary: An Exemplary Muslim Woman

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example for all women, regardless of time or location, and reminds them
of their ensuing superiority:

And when the angels said: "Mary, Allah has chosen you and purified
you. He has chosen you over all other women." (Surah Al 'Imran: 42)
In other verses, Allah reminds people that chastity is an important
and defining characteristic of Muslim women:
If any of you do not have the means to marry free women who are be-
lievers, you may marry slave girls who are believers. Allah knows best
about your faith; you are all the same in that respect. Marry them with
their owners' permission and give them their dowries correctly and cour-
teously as married women, not in fornication or taking them as lovers.
(Surat an-Nisa': 25)

... so are chaste women from among the believers and chaste women of
those given the Book before you, once you have given them their
dowries in marriage, not in fornication or taking them as lovers. But as
for anyone who rejects faith, his actions will come to nothing, and in the
Hereafter he will be among the losers. (Surat al-Ma'ida: 5)
Chastity brings honor and respect to women and prevents their be-
ing made to suffer in society. In another verse, Allah states that "this
makes it more likely that they will be recognized and not be harmed"
(Surat al-Ahzab: 59).

Muslim women acquire honor, integrity, and respect by adhering
to the limits that Allah has established for humanity. A person's virtuous
and chaste nature can be determined from his or her behavior, conver-
sation, movements, facial expressions, and even from a smile. A chaste
woman has a natural aura of well-being, a radiant personality, and a
trustworthy character. As Allah reveals, Muslims are recognized by
these qualities. In fact, "their mark is on their faces, the traces of pros-
tration..." (Surat al-Fath: 29).

Harun Yahya (Adnan Oktar)