Islam on Marital Rights — Page 17
ISLAM ON MARITAL RIGHTS. THE SPHERE OF WOMAN'S ACTIVITIES 17. A very important duty of women is prescribed by the Holy. Quran in the following verse: "And stay in your houses with dignity. " (33:43). . The above direction originally came for the wives of the Holy. Prophet (s. a. w. ). But since the Holy Prophet (s. a. w. ) and his wives served as an example for the Muslims to follow, the injunctions addressed to him and his wives are meant for all the Muslims as well. This verse, therefore, calls upon the Muslim women to restrain their activities to their homes and not to go outside without a valid reason. They should stay inside the house with dignity and perform their household chores with grace and equanimity. When they talk, they should talk in a dignified manner. In fact, every single act of theirs should be full of grace and dignity. . The above Quranic injunction demands that women should mostly confine themselves to their houses. A tradition of the Holy. Prophet (s. a. w. ), reported by Ibn-Masood, says that a woman requires protection for her person. When she is out of the house,. Satan draws near to her and when she remains indoors, Allah's mercy remains close to her. . This shows that it is not good for a woman to go out of her house unnecessarily. . Another tradition of the Holy Prophet (s. a. w. ) is that he enjoined on the Muslims not to stop women from going to the mosques, although he believed that staying in their houses was better for them. . In yet another tradition we are told by the Holy Prophet (s. a. w. ) that a woman who abides in the house, engaged in her household work with a sense of duty and dignity, will be blessed with the reward of those engaged in a holy war. . NOT A TOTAL BAN. It is wrong to conclude from the above sayings that the woman is totally barred from stepping out of the house.