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The significance of marriage and the aims and advantages
that are associated with it are self-evident. Peace of mind and a happy life
are greatly dependent on the mutual relationship that develops between
husband and wife.
The main objects of marriage are that both parties enjoy the pleasures of
life with purity, (which can only be possible through wedlock) and that the
continuity of the human race be, and is, maintained with dignity. These
objects can be realised best when the relations between husband and wife are
good and there is love, sympathy and good understanding between them.
The main purpose of the Prophet's teachings, regarding the rights and duties
of marriage, is that the marriage proves to be a source of joy and
satisfaction to both husband and wife, that their hearts remain united and
that the aims of the marriage be attained in the best possible manner.
According to the Prophet's teachings, the wife should regard her husband
over and above everyone else and she should remain faithful to him. She
should leave nothing to be desired with regards to devotion and earnestness
and should believe that, for her. the happiness of both worlds lies in his
good pleasure. The husband, on his part, ought to consider his wife as a
blessing of Allah and he should give her. ungrudgingly, his love, hold her
in high esteem and look after her needs and comforts to the best of his
ability. It she makes a mistake, he should over look it and try to correct
her with tact and patience.
Obedience and loyalty to the husband
Ayesha (R.A.) says that the Prophet (S.A.W.) said "The greatest claim on a
woman is that of her husband and the greatest claim on a man is that of his
mother".
In the marriage agreement it is necessary that the husband has the position
of leadership. Man has been declared the head of the family in the Islamic
Shari'ah and great responsibilities have been assigned to him. The Qur’an
says ‘Men are the protectors and maintainers of women".
As for the women, the commandment is that they obey the husband as the head
of the household and fulfil the domestic duties. Regarding them, the Qur’an
says "The righteous women are obedient and protect (the husband's interest)
in his absence, as Allah has protected them."
If the wife fails to submit to her husband, and instead of serving him
devotedly, she adopts an attitude of defiance and stubbornness, then it will
be disastrous for both and they will be losers in this world and the
hereafter.
The Prophet (S.A.W.), therefore, stressed upon the wives to be loyal and
faithful to their husbands and to seek their pleasure, -(A great reward has
been promised for this, in the hereafter.)
It is related by Anas (R.A.) that the Prophet (S.A.W.) said "if a woman
offers five times daily prayer, keeps the fasts of Ramadhan, guards her
honour and obeys her husband, then she will enter Paradise by whichever gate
she pleases."
Commentary:- Here, loyalty and obedience to the husband has been mentioned
along with the Swalaah and Fast. It denotes that, in the Shariah, submission
to the husband is as important as the principal duties of Islam.
The Prophet (S.A.W.) has said "A woman who dies in the state that her
husband is pleased with her, shall go to Paradise."
It should be noted here, that, if a man is displeased with his wife, without
any fault of hers, she will be innocent in the sight of Allah and the
responsibility for annoyance shall rest with the husband.
Advice on kind treatment to the wife.
Abu Hurairah (R.A.) relates that the Prophet (S.A.W.) advised, "0 people.
Follow my advice concerning the kind treatment of wives. (I order you to
treat your wives with kindness and love). The woman has been created from
the rib, and the rib is curved, by nature, and the greatest curve is in its
upper part. If you try to straighten the curved rib by force, it will break,
and if you leave it alone, it will remain curved forever. So follow my
advice and treat your wives kindly and well."
If a man dislikes his wife for some reason, he should not adopt an attitude
of hatred towards her, and start thinking in terms of divorce, but he should
look for the good qualities in her, and learn to admire her because of them.
The Prophet (S.A.W.) has said, "No believing man hates his believing wife.
I! there is a bad quality in her, there will also be a good quality."
This is the claim of Faith on a believing husband and the privilege of a
believing wife.
Addressing the Muslims, the Prophet (S.A.W.) said "The best of you are those
who are best to their wives."
It is related by Ayesha (R.A.) that the Prophet (S.A.W.) said, "Good among
you are those who are good to their wives; and I, on my part, am very good
to my wives."
This shows that there is a special goodness in treating one's wife well. To
make the advice more effective, the Prophet added that he himself was good
and considerate to his wives. |
