Islamic Teachings on Ideal Family Life — Page 44
~ 44 ~ parents and children is so repeatedly emphasized that it is impossible for a child to abandon his parents when they grow old for the sake of his or her own pleasure. The Future Generation As for the future generation, the Holy Qur’ ā n educates society in a unique way. It teaches that to achieve the best of relationships between you and your children, it is highly essential that the relationships between you and your wife should also be excellent. In this regard, the verse cited earlier (Ch. 4: Al- Nisa: 35), which refers to guardians (QAWW Ā M Ū N), lays a very heavy responsibility on the shoulders of a husband. If his conduct is not conducive to the creation of an ideal atmosphere for a healthy family life, he would have failed in his responsibility to act as a guardian (QAWW Ā M). It should be remembered that the best example of QAWW Ā M was the Holy Founder of Isl ā m (peace and blessings of All ā h be on him) himself. He was neither harsh nor dictatorial nor in any way offensive or over-assertive in relation to his family. To keep them on the right path was a grave responsibility, but the way that he discharged this responsibility serves as an excellent living example for all times to come for all those who want to investigate and comprehend the real meaning of the epithet QAWW Ā M. In a famous Tradition, Ab ū Hurairah relates that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of All ā h be on him) said: The most perfect of believers in the matter of faith is he whose behavior is best; and the best of you are those who behave best towards their wives.