The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) – Volume III — Page 49
II - Brief Note on Islāmic Equality 49 However, administratively speaking, since the control of domestic affairs must remain in one hand, for this reason, the Holy Qur’ān states in this regard: ْ مِن اَنفَق ُوا فَضَّل َ اهلل ُ بَعْضَهُم ْ عَلَى ٰ بَعْض ٍ وَبِم َا ِ بِم َا ء اَلرِّجَال ُ قَوَّامُون َ عَلَى النِّسَا ٌ اَمْوَالِهِمْ فَالصَّالِحَاتُ قَانِتَات “In domestic affairs men have been appointed leaders and guardians over women, because God the Exalted has granted men superiority in natural faculties; And then the responsibility of providing for the expenses of women has also been placed upon them. Either way, virtuous wives should remain obedient to their husbands. ” 1 However, putting this administrative difference aside, with relevance to the treatment of wives the Holy Prophet sa stated: ْ خَیْرُكُم ْ خَیْرُكُم ْ لِاَھْلِه ٖ وَاَنَا خَیْرُكُم ْ لِاَھْلِی “The best among you in the sight of God is he who is best in the treatment of his family; And by the grace of God, I am the best among you in the treatment of my wives. ” 2 With relevance to this the Holy Qur’ān states: ِ وَعَاشِرُوهُن َّ بِالْمَعْرُوف ِ فَاِن كَرِهْتُمُوهُن َّ فَعَسَى ٰ اَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَيَجْعَل َ اهلل ُ فِيه كَثِيرًا خَيْرًا “O Ye Muslims! Treat your wives very kindly; And even if one of you dislikes his wife, remember still, that perhaps you dislike a thing, but God has decreed abundant good for you therein, as far as your end is concerned. ” 3 1 An-Nisā’ (4:35) 2 * Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābun-Nikāḥ * Sunan At-Tirmidhī, Kitābul-Manāqib, Bābu Faḍli Azwājin-Nabiyyi sa , Ḥadīth No. 3895 (Publishers) 3 An-Nisā’ (4:20)