It is also narrated that Asma bint Umays returned from Abyssinia with her husband, Jafar ibn Abi Talib. She visited the wives of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and asked, “Has anything concerning us been revealed in the Quran?” They replied, “No.” She then came to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and said, “O Messenger of Allah, women are truly deprived and at a loss.” He asked, “Why is that?” She said, “Because they are not mentioned favorably as men are mentioned.” So Allah revealed this verse: “Surely Muslim men and Muslim women, believing men and believing women, and devout men” (1)—that is, those who obey—“and devout women; truthful men”—truthful in their faith and in what grieves or pleases them—“and truthful women; patient men”—patient in fulfilling what Allah has commanded—“and patient women; humble men”—that is, the modest—“and humble women.” It was also said that this refers to humility in prayer, and part of humility is not to look about. “Charitable men”—who give from what Allah has provided them—“and charitable women; fasting men and fasting women; men who guard their chastity”—from what is unlawful—“and women who do so; and men who remember Allah often, and women who do so.” Mujahid said: A servant is not among those who remember Allah often until he remembers Allah while standing, sitting, and lying down. (2)

It has been narrated to us that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The devoted have gone ahead.” They asked, “Who are the devoted, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “The men and women who remember Allah often.” (3)

Ata ibn Abi Rabah said: Whoever entrusts his affair to Allah, exalted is He, is included in His words: “Surely Muslim men and Muslim women.” Whoever affirms that Allah is his Lord and Muhammad is His Messenger, and whose heart does not contradict his tongue, is included in His words: “Believing men and believing women.” Whoever obeys Allah in the obligatory duties and the Messenger in the sunnah is included in His words: “Devout men and devout women.” Whoever guards his speech against lying is included in His words: “Truthful men and truthful women.” Whoever is patient in obedience, refrains from disobedience, and bears affliction patiently is included in His words: “Patient men and patient women.” Whoever prays without knowing who is on his right or left is included in His words: “Humble men and humble women.” Whoever gives a dirham in charity every week is included in His words: “Charitable men and charitable women.” Whoever fasts the white days of every month—the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth—is included in His words: “Fasting men and fasting women.” Whoever guards his chastity from what is unlawful is included in His words: “Men who guard their chastity and women who do so.” And whoever prays