Islam and Human Rights — Page 44
Isl am and Hum an R ights 44 source of peace and rest for each other. “In that surely are Signs for a people who reflect” (30:32). The relation - ship between husband and wife is described as that of a garment to its wearer. The Quran says that a wife is raiment for the husband, and the husband is raiment for the wife (2:188). A garment provides protection, comfort and orna ment. It is also the closest thing to a person outside his or her own self. A husband and wife bound together by the “love and tenderness” that God has put between them are surely garments for each other. The Quran says that the best garment is the garment of righteousness (7:2), so that a husband and wife should be such a garment for each other. Women have rights vis-u-vis men corresponding to those that men have vis-u-vis women on a basis of fairness and equity (2:229). Men are exhorted to consort with their wives in kindness and are reminded: “If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike something wherein Allah has placed much good” (4:20). The Prophet said: “The best among you is he who treats the members of his family best’’. 6 He was himself always most careful and considerate in respect of all that concerned women. On one occasion he was on 6 lbn Majah, Sect. :Marriage, Ch. :Good behaviour towards women.