Islam on Marital Rights — Page 30
18 30. ISLAM ON MARITAL RIGHTS. A DIVINE DIRECTIVE. Once Maulvi Abdul Karim, who was rather of a stern and unsparing nature, scolded his wife in a rude manner. At this the. Promised Messiah (a. s. ) received the following Divine revelation: "This is an improper behavior. Stop Abdul Karim, the leader of the Muslims, from this practice. Be kind! For kindness is the source of all virtues. ". To the above revelation the Promised Messiah (a. s. ) added, "Maulvi Abdul Karim had been harsh to his wife at which came the Divine admonition forbidding harsh language. The foremost duty of a believer is to be of sweet tongue and to show kindness to everyone. No doubt the use of a harsh word is, sometimes, permissible like a dose of bitter medicine. But it must not go the extent that it may become one's second nature. " (Zameema Tohfai-Golrawiya: p. 39). . NO HAND MAIDENS. Explaining the above revelation, the Promised Messiah (a. s. ), in the footnotes, has given the following advice to his. Companions: "There is a lesson in the above revelation for our. Community, that they should be kind and courteous to their wives. They are not their hand-maidens. Marriage, in fact, is a contract between a man and a woman. See that you do not dishonor this contract. God has called upon us in the Holy Quran to, "consort with them in kindness"; and the Hadith of the Holy Prophet (s. a. w. ) in this respect is, "The best among you is he who is best in his treatment of his wife. " Therefore, be good to your wives both physically and spiritually. Pray for them and never contemplate a separation by divorce; for in the sight of Allah, the most worthless man is he who is quick in putting away his wife. Do not break in indecent haste, like an unclean vessel, what God had joined together. " (Tohfai-Golrawiya: p. 39). . Since the marital tie is brought about in the sacred name of