The Pious Woman
‘Al Mar’atus Salihah – The Pious Woman – is a short treatise of Naseehat (advice and admonition) presented to Muslim women. It is the perfect wedding gift which will ensure for the bride a life of blessing and happiness if she gives practical expression to its advices which are the advices of the Qur’aan and Sunnah.
This compilation is not a book of rights and obligations due to a woman. It does not explain, neither sets out the Shar’i right to which a Muslim wife is entitled. Rather, it is a treatise of Naseehat which takes into account the prevailing unhappiness and misery in which so many marriages are floundering. Numerous women, as well as men, communicate their marital problems and unhappiness to us, seeking the advice of the Shariah applicable to their individual and peculiar situations arising from the combination of ignorance of Shar’i laws, western indoctrination and the lack of Islaah (reformation) of the nafs.
Under the prevailing circumstances of ignorance and intransigence, the wife, if she desires a happy and successful married life, has to cast a blind eye in the direction of her rights and dues. She has to act in terms of the moral advices given to her by Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). It is in this sphere that this treatise speaks to her. For her own happiness and the prosperity of her children she has to make sacrifices and be tolerant when her husband fails to observe her rights.
The path to happiness in married life is not the way of demand i.e. demanding fulfilment of rights. Rigid adherence to one’s demands, especially in these times of Deeni indifference and moral deficiency, will crack the marriage bond and may even rent it asunder. The way to achieve happiness is for the wife to offer humble submission to her husband – a submission which is within the confines of the Shariah’s moral code as expounded in the Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). A submission which violates the commands and prohibitions of Allah Ta’ala is not advocated, for Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has declared:
“There is no obedience for any creation in (anything) which brings about disobedience to Allah.”
Lest ignorant husbands misinterpret the Naseehat sounded in this treatise, we must inform them that this book is not a licence for the perpetration of zulm (injustices) on women. This Naseehat is for the benefit of women, not for men to find latitude in the assertion of domination and authority. The attitude and behaviour of husbands towards their wives shall, Insha Allah, be expounded in another treatise which shall, be named ‘Az-Zaujus Salih’ or the Pious Husband. Wives are an Amaanat (sacred Trust) about which Allah Ta’ala will demand a reckoning on that Day which every atom which zulm and abuse will be manifested.
May Allah Ta’ala grant us all the taufeeq and hidaayah to follow the Sunnah of Allah’s Beloved Nabi, Muhammadur Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam.)
Mujlisul Ulama of South Africa
Ramadhaan 1412
March 1992
The Sanctity of Nikah
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said:
“Nikah is half of Imaan.”
Numerous Ahadith narrations testify to the sanctity of the Nikah (marriage) bond. The above is one such hadith from which the sanctity and importance of Nikah are abundantly clear. As a result of the holy culture of Islam, Nikah has always been regarded and treated with due respect and reverence by Muslims. Unlike liberal and materialistic cultures, Islam emphasises the strong relationship between Nikah and Taqwa (piety and divine fear – the fear which engenders obedience of the commands of Allah Ta’ala.) In fact, Islam teaches that Nikah is the factor which vastly improves the degree and quality of taqwa.
The Nikah bond envisages the establishment of a home of piety – a home in which moral excellence, spiritual loftiness and humanity will achieve a high degree of perfection. While this was the blessed condition of the Ummah in its early days, it has to be observed that the gradual adoption by Muslims of the ways of alien cultures has seriously eroded the transcendental quality and value of the Nikah bond.
Divorce which was an extremely rare occurrence in Muslim society, has now become an incremental practice. The greater degree of Muslim abandonment of Muslim culture – the Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) – the higher the incidence of divorce in the Muslim community. Divorce, separation, futile disputes, unnecessary arguments, lack of parental control, delinquency, failure to fulfil marital rights and obligations, infidelity, misery and heartache have gripped numerous Muslim families in these days of modernity, liberalism and abandonment of the Sunnah.
For these evil consequences of the libertine Muslim culture to find their way into Muslim homes, there is no need for surprise. Such baneful effects are the natural consequences of the elimination of the sanctity which once reigned supreme in the Muslim home. It was not possible for Muslims to retain their healthy and holy family – structure with their assimilation by the liberal western culture which in practice shows scant regard for the bond of marriage as a union of piety and holiness.