The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 324
324 230 الرِّجَالُ قَوَّامُونَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ. Essence of Islam-III. Women are influenced by their husbands. To the extent that a husband excels in piety and righteousness, his wife will also partake of it. Similarly, if the husband is wicked, the wife too will share his evil. [Malfūzāt, vol. 5, pp 217-218]. If you desire to reform your own selves, it is essential that you also seek to reform your women. Women are the root of idol worship, for they are naturally devoted to decoration and ornaments. This is why idolatry started with women. They are also less courageous. Under the slightest stress of hardship, they begin to cringe before their fellow creatures. Hence those who are completely under the influence of their women gradually acquire their characteristics. It is, therefore, necessary to constantly try to reform them. God Almighty says: 231 الرِّجَالُ قَوَّامُونَ عَلَى النِّسَاء :. This is why men have been bestowed greater faculties than women. One marvels at the modern man who insists on the equality of the sexes and asserts that men and women have equal rights. Let these people raise armies of women and send them into battle and see the result for themselves. How would a pregnant woman discharge her duties in the battlefield? In short, women have fewer and weaker faculties than men. Men should, therefore, keep them under their care. [Malfūzāt, vol. 7, pp. 133-34] 230 Men are guardians over women. '-Al-Nisā', 4:35 [Publisher] 231 Ibid.