“The wife is responsible for taking care of the home of her husband, and she will be accountable for those given in her charge.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
A woman holds great powers in her hands.
Her powers are God-given, for Allah has placed His trust in the gentle hands of a woman. She is commanded to establish a home of warmth and security for her children, and a haven of comfort and joy for her husband. Her role is sacred, and her influence wide; it is in her hands that she is raising God's little soldiers and handmaidens.
A woman in Islam knows how to wield her powers wisely. She constantly refuels her mind with wisdom and knowledge and replenishes her soul with words from the Holy Qur’an.
She is answerable to her Rabb only, thus all her deeds and duties proceed from her love and fear of Him. Even if the sputter of the car would mean another visit to the workshop, she trusts that Allah never burdens His servants more than they can bear. For her source of comfort is constant and abiding, in that she has Him to turn to for divine assistance.
She feels blessed for Allah has given her a sheltered position, to thrive in the security of her home, protected from the needs to earn a living: “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because God has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means.” (Surah Nisa’ 4: 34)
Although she may supplement her husband’s income through her own means, it never crosses her mind to usurp a role that rightfully belongs to her husband. Unencumbered from the weight of having to support herself, she roams her Kingdom freely with the independence and pride of a Queen whose duty is to use the powers bestowed upon her to make her kingdom a reflection of God’s order and perfection.
She starts her day with the Morning Prayer and offers supplications to her Rabb. She drapes herself with the clothe of modesty and virtue, and welcomes the day ahead with hope and joy. She keeps the home fires burning by attending to the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of those in her charge. Wiping a runny nose here, changing a dirty diaper there, her faith in the words of Allah inspires her to forge on and give only the best to her family: “Whoever works righteousness, man or women, and has Faith, verily to him will We give a new Life that is good and pure and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.” (Surah Nahl 16:97).
It does not matter that the dirty dishes are piling up in the sink, what is important is that her home is a welcoming shelter for her husband because she appreciates how hard it is having to go out into the world come rain or shine in an effort to provide adequately for the family. She has successfully carved herself a niche in her husband's heart through the daily love and affection that she showers upon him. And in return, he is willing to spread his heart and soul across her feet to make her feel loved and cherished. Truly this is what Allah meant when He referred to the celestial love between a husband and wife “… And He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): Verily in that are signs for those who reflect.” (Surah Rum 30:21)
As husband and wife, they are an equal, but their roles are not identical. The husband sets the tone of leadership in the family, while the wife upholds his rules. However his role is greatly reliant upon her to make sure the family is guided correctly, according to the values of Islam. It is her duty to speak up wisely if he digresses from the true path. Mutual respect and regard for their complementary contributions greatly reduces friction in the family. They are a team, and if divided, the insidious influences of the world outside will slowly but surely spread their evil from within.
Allah has bestowed upon the woman with characteristics that set her apart from man. Her patience and sensitivity makes her attuned to the needs of her children. She cares that her children eats nutritiously, rests comfortably, dresses modestly and speaks politely. Neither nursery nor nannies can provide the moral direction, devotion, and enough patience to instill character and goodness in the children better than the mother.
Her children are taught to appreciate the greater good in doing things of lasting value instead of squandering their time on temporal pleasures; she teaches them to set a worthy goal, and the importance of working hard to reach its end. She protects her children from the glittering allure of this fleeting world by insulating their hearts with wisdom from the sunnah and the Qur'an.
Though her children still clings to her skirt, she does believe in propagating Islam with the rest of the Ummah. Perhaps time and energy prevents her from giving herself completely to the cause now, when her children will only remain children in the blink of an eye. But she understands that the greatest contribution a woman can offer to the Ummah is by wielding her powers of influence to those who are nearest and dearest to her heart. Her work at home is of eternal value. It is in the glory of Allah that her crown of jewels lies, not in the applause nor the tantalizingly heaped up hoards of riches offered by this secular world.
“Indeed, to God belongs the dominion of the heavens, and the earth;
and to God is the final goal (of all).” (Surah Nur 24 :42)
and to God is the final goal (of all).” (Surah Nur 24 :42)
