Taraweeh Reflection – Day 22: Juzz 22

Do Women Have Spiritual Equality in Islam?

Surah Al-Ahzab (33:35)

Arabic Verse

إِنَّ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ وَٱلْمُسْلِمَـٰتِ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ وَٱلْقَـٰنِتِينَ وَٱلْقَـٰنِتَـٰتِ وَٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ وَٱلصَّـٰدِقَـٰتِ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرَٰتِ وَٱلْخَـٰشِعِينَ وَٱلْخَـٰشِعَـٰتِ وَٱلْمُتَصَدِّقِينَ وَٱلْمُتَصَدِّقَـٰتِ وَٱلصَّـٰٓئِمِينَ وَٱلصَّـٰٓئِمَـٰتِ وَٱلْحَـٰفِظِينَ فُرُوجَهُمْ وَٱلْحَـٰفِظَـٰتِ وَٱلذَّٰكِرِينَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًۭا وَٱلذَّٰكِرَٰتِ أَعَدَّ ٱللَّهُ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةًۭ وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًۭا

‏— Qur’an 33:35

Translation (meaning):

“Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their chastity and the women who guard it, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who remember Him — Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a tremendous reward.”

From Surah Al-Ahzab, this verse is a powerful reminder during Taraweeh in Ramadan.

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Reflection

1. Allah lists the qualities of the true believer

In this single verse, Allah mentions ten characteristics of a complete believer:

1.Submission (Islam) – outward commitment to Allah

2.Faith (Iman) – belief in the heart

3.Obedience (Qunoot) – devotion and consistency

4.Truthfulness (Sidq) – honesty with Allah and people

5.Patience (Sabr) – perseverance through hardship

6.Humility (Khushu’) – softness and sincerity in worship

7.Charity (Sadaqah) – caring for others

8.Fasting (Sawm) – discipline over desires

9.Guarding chastity – protecting dignity and morality

10.Remembering Allah often (Dhikr) – keeping the heart alive

Ramadan is a time when many of these qualities are actively trained.

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2. The powerful repetition in the verse

Notice how every quality is repeated:

•Men and women

•Men and women

•Men and women

This repetition emphasizes that spiritual excellence is open to everyone. The path to Allah is not about gender, wealth, or status — it is about faith and character.

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3. The verse ends with Dhikr

The final quality mentioned is:

“Those who remember Allah often.”

This teaches us something profound: constant remembrance of Allah sustains all the other qualities.

Without remembering Allah:

•patience becomes difficult

•sincerity fades

•humility disappears

But with dhikr, the heart stays connected.

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4. The reward

After listing all these qualities, Allah promises:

•Maghfirah (forgiveness)

•Ajr ‘Azim (a tremendous reward)

Exactly what every believer hopes for in Ramadan.

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Ask yourself tonight:

Which of these ten qualities is strongest in me — and which one needs work?

Then make an intention to improve slowly and gradually.