first is that the wife should be deeply in love with her husband. It is obvious that Hadhrat Zaynab (R.A) possessed such love because, to free her husband, she was prepared to part with her expensive necklace which her mother had given her as a legacy, and which was handed down from generation to generation. After undergoing hardships and separation because of her husband’s refusal to accept Islaam, she immediately accepted his request for amnesty. It was because of her excellent qualities that Hadhrat Abul Aas τ said to his brother Kinaana, “I do not wish any other woman of the Quraysh to be in exchange for Zaynab. I cannot bear to be parted from her.” However, Hadhrat Abul Aas τ had to send Hadhrat Zaynab (R.A) to Madinah because he had promised Rasulullaah ρ that he would and the Arabs (though Mushrikeen) always honoured their word. May Allaah Ι grant every Muslim the quality of keeping promises. Aameen.
Testimony of the Husband The status of a loving wife is at its height when her husband testifies that there is none as good as she and if he has to search for a wife with her sterling qualities, he will be unable to find someone. The life of Hadhrat Zaynab (R.A) is an example for all women to follow. Her excellent behaviour towards her Mushrik husband is exemplary and won him over to Islaam. Many Muslim women swayed the sword of love on their husbands to convert them to Islaam. This sword proved effective even against men who had sworn that were prepared to commit suicide rather than accept Islaam. This incident of Hadhrat Zaynab (R.A) teaches the wives of the world how to love their husbands and to sacrifice everything for them. A wife should be content with what her husband provides and she should not complain when she does not have something. At the same time, every wife needs to be concerned that her husband should be saved from Jahannam. She should therefore encourage him to carry out good deeds and to refrain from sin. At the same time, she should ensure that she does not become the cause for her husband or her children suffering any loss in the Hereafter. The Sahabah ψ once expressed the desire to know which type of wealth was best. Rasulullaah ρ told them that the best wealth was a 57
tongue that engages in Allaah ’s Dhikr, a heart that is grateful and a Muslim wife who assists her husband in his faith. This Hadith makes it clear that money, property and businesses are not the real wealth of this world. True wealth is a tongue that engages in Allaah ’s Dhikr, a heart that is grateful and a Muslim wife who assists her husband in his faith. Therefore, together with making an effort to reform herself inwardly and outwardly, a Muslim wife also has the responsibility of rejuvenating her husband’s Imaan. Her daily effort should be to deepen the roots of his conviction in Allaah Ι so that he becomes totally convinced that Allaah Ι is All Knowing and Capable of doing whatever He pleases. She should also send him to gatherings where his Imaan is refreshed and where he is reminded about death and the Hereafter. Where possible, she should also attend such gatherings when attendance does not violate any laws of the Shari'ah. She should consolidate the conviction that everything happens by the will of Allaah Ι. Even is a glass breaks or some other greater disaster takes place, she should immediately say:
{TRANSLATION: To Allaah do we belong and to Him shall we return. O Allaah ! Reward me in my calamity and grant me something better.”} One should reflect on the meaning of this du’aa and explain it to one’s husband and children to console them. A good wife should remind her husband about his five daily salaahs, fasting and reciting the Qur'aan daily. She should explain the virtues of these and other acts of Ibaadah and encourage him with wisdom and love. By encouraging her husband and children to fulfil their duties to the Deen and to practise the Sunnahs of Rasulullaah ρ, she will be doing them all a great favour. She should also stipulate a time during the day to gather and recite Deeni books to them. Excellent books for this purpose are “Fadhaa’ile A’maal”, “Fadhaa’ile Sadaqaat” and “Behisti Zewar”11. Such a woman receives the du’aas of Rasulullaah ρ. People usually request pious 11 All these books have been translated into English and are easily available from good Islaamic book stores.
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