Islam on Marital Rights — Page 27
". ISLAM ON MARITAL RIGHTS 27 turn our backs upon the profound guidance given to us on this subject by Allah and His Holy Prophet (s. a. w. ). They are cruel and rude to their wives and forget that such a behavior is totally unworthy of one who claims to be a true Muslim and a sincere follower of the Holy Prophet (s. a. w. ). Owing to the barbaric treatment some men mete out to their wives, the poor ones, in their helplessness, even forego their legitimate rights granted to them by the Holy Quran. They readily agree to obtain separation from such tyrannical husbands and relinquish their lawful rights. . But these men must bear in mind that, as forewarned by Allah and His Prophet, they will be answerable to God for this tyranny. . Thus we see that the Holy Prophet (s. a. w. ) was, in himself, a unique example of a kind and courteous husband and the wisdom of what he taught on this subject has no parallel in the teachings of any other reformer or religious leader. . EXHORTATIONS OF THE PROMISED MESSIAH. ON TREATMENT OF WIVES. Dwelling on evils which have crept into the Muslim society contrary to the teachings of Islam and the example of the Holy. Prophet (s. a. w. ), the Promised Messiah has said, "In the matter of marital relations men have floundered and gone astray. The. Holy Quran says, “consort with them (women) in kindness. " But we see that this injunction is being ignored. There are two kinds of men. There are those who give their women so much liberty that they set at naught all the commandments of the faith and act contrary to the teachings of Islam. Nobody has any control or check over them. And there are others who have not allowed their wives unlimited freedom but they are so cruel and harsh with them as to put even the beast to shame. They treat them worse than one treats a serf or an animal. They beat them mercilessly as if the object of wrath was a lifeless body or that it was immune to pain or feelings. In short they treat them in the most inhuman manner. In the Punjab they say that a wife is but a pair of shoes that may be discarded at one's pleasure. This is an attitude much to be regretted. Such a behavior is totally inconsistent with the principles of Islam. The Holy Prophet (s. a. w. ) is a perfect model for us in every walk of our lives. Look at the way he treated his