The Quest of a Curious Muslim — Page 33

33 the Holy Prophet sa , who is most deserving of best treatment from him? The Prophet sa said, “Your mother”. He asked the question two more times and got the same response, and only when he asked the question the fourth time did he receive the response, “Your father”. 14 A critical mind may look at this hadith and another hadith where it says, “Paradise lies under the feet of the mother,” 15 and declare Islam a misandrist faith. However, that would be a gross misrepresentation and misunderstanding of the faith of Islam. Where the role of women is being discussed, light is shed on female responsibilities, and where the role of men is being discussed, light is shed on male responsibilities. To the men, Islam says, treat your wives in the best manner (Holy Quran, 4:20), and to the women, Islam teaches obedience and kind treatment of their husbands. The Prophet sa sums it up beautifully when he says, “You have rights over your wives, and they have rights over you”. 16 Every statement that appears to be siding with one gender needs to be understood within its own