Islam on Marital Rights — Page 9
ISLAM ON MARITAL RIGHTS and the coats of mail which protect you in your wars. " (16:82) 9. Another use of our dress is that it provides protection against heat and cold. Since the Holy Quran has used the word 'garment' in respect of both the husband and the wife, it proves that they hold equal status; their rights and duties are identical in respect of each other. When God declares each of them to be a garment for the other, He wishes it to be known that they should discharge their duties towards each other which are as follows: 1. To behave in a manner that each other's weaknesses and shortcomings remain out of sight of others. 2. To act as each other's adornment and embellishment. 3. Just as the dress protects us from the severity and inclemency of weather, in the same way the wife and the husband should stick fast to each other through thick and thin and at no time should they fall apart in adverse circumstances. Each should serve as the rock of support for the other. . AN IDEAL WIFE. Khadijah, the first wife of the Holy Prophet (s. a. w. ), could easily be presented as an ideal wife. After marriage, she voluntarily placed all her wealth at the disposal of the Holy. Prophet (s. a. w. ) to be used in any manner he liked so that the lack of funds should not stand in the way of his great mission which he had undertaken to execute. . On the occasion of receiving his first revelation, the Holy. Prophet (s. a. w. ) returned home in an extremely agitated state. . When Khadijah saw him in that condition, she stepped forward and said: "Oh no, by God, Allah will never let thee down for thou art a mine of goodness and kind acts. ". She thus consoled him and allayed his fears. . Though the Holy Quran grants equal rights both to the wife and the husband, yet it mentions an exception which is as follows: