To understand the responsibilities that Sharia assigns to men toward their wives and how a man should behave with his wife both at home and outside, it is essential to consider the blessed sayings and the virtuous life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Islamic teachings (Qur’an and Sunnah) comprehensively address all matters and rulings for Muslims. In this section, we delve into this significant subject.
The Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Interaction with His Wives:
The wives of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), despite their number, served as exemplary models for women throughout history in mutual respect, observing each other’s rights, upholding Islamic values, and managing natural emotions like competition. They excelled in maintaining balance in these aspects.
The Prophet was the best husband and a role model for all husbands. He treated his wives with respect, fulfilled his promises, joked with them, smiled at them, forgave their mistakes, and showed patience toward their occasional harshness. He was not strict with them in non-religious matters and never physically disciplined any of them during his blessed life. He neither humiliated nor insulted them and never blamed or reproached them unjustly.
The Prophet maintained fairness in spending and time allocation among his wives. He guided them toward righteous deeds and whatever was beneficial for them, often consulting them on various matters.
It is worthwhile to assess the lives of those who claim to follow the Prophet today and examine in what ways these qualities are reflected in their behavior. If we truly adhere to the Prophet’s teachings and emulate his blessed life, we will never face difficulties in this world.
A detailed study of the Prophet’s character and conduct, both before and after his prophethood, reveals the secret of his success. It becomes evident that the esteemed status of the Prophet’s wives was a result of his noble companionship and guidance, as illustrated by the saying: The excellence of a horse reflects the skill of its rider.
The Prophet used to visit his wives each morning to offer advice and guidance. After the Asr prayer, he would visit each of their homes again. Whenever he visited one wife’s house, all of them would gather to benefit from his wisdom and counsel.
The Prophet’s Assistance at Home:
The Prophet also helped his wives with household tasks, often performing some chores himself. When asked about the Prophet’s activities at home, Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, replied, “He was at the service of his family.”
Occasionally, the Prophet engaged in recreational activities with his wives to ensure a balanced and joyful marital life, preventing monotony from creeping into their relationship.
For example, Hazrat Ayesha narrated:
“Once, during a journey, I accompanied the Prophet. At the time, I was a young girl and light in weight. The Prophet said to his Sahaba, ‘Go ahead.’ When they distanced themselves, he said, ‘Let’s have a race.’ We raced, and I outran him. Later, as I grew older and gained weight, we were on another journey together. Once again, he said to his Sahaba, ‘Go ahead.’ When they distanced themselves, he said, ‘Let’s race.’ This time, he outran me. Then, smiling, he said, ‘This victory is in exchange for the one before.’”
Understanding Emotions and Building Connection:
The Prophet was deeply attuned to the emotions of his wives. For instance, he once said to Ayesha: “I can tell when you are pleased with me or displeased by the way you speak.” Aisha asked, “How do you know?” He replied, “When you are pleased with me, you say, ‘By the Lord of Muhammad,’ but when you are upset, you say, ‘By the Lord of Ibrahim.’” Aisha responded, “Yes, that’s true, O Messenger of Allah! I only abandon your name, not you.”
This profound example of the Prophet’s character provides timeless guidance for all spouses to build love, respect, and mutual understanding in their relationships.
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