Nikah - Husband's Obligations
by Maulana Imraan Khamissa
Have you ever pondered over the Khutbah
which the Imaam recited to you before you enthusiastically
uttered ‘Nakahtuhaa Wa Qabiltuhaa Wa Tazawwajtuhaa?’
Let me help you and shed some light over
this contract which you have made yourself party to, that is
‘The Nikah Contract’. The Imaam recited to you three
verses from the Noble Qurãn:
- Surah Nissa (4) verse 1
O Mankind Fear your guardian Lord who created you from a
single soul, and He created from it its mate and from them
He scattered many men and women…
- Surah Aale Imraan (3) verse 102
O Ye who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared and
die not except in a state of Islam.
- Surah Ahzaab (33) verse 70
O Ye who believe. Fear Allah and make your utterances
straight.
TAQWA
The common element in each of these verses is the Arabic word
‘Taqwa’ (God Consciousness). In these verses you are
reminded to fear Allah Taãla in the manner you treat the lady
you are taking as your wife. There is no one to see the way
you conduct yourself within your home. Let the fact and belief
that Allah is watching guide you in your treatment of the
woman you have made your wife by granting her the respect and
dignity she deserves.
You have brought somebody’s daughter into
your own home. She left her family, her friends, close
associates and in many cases even the town that she grew up in
and she came to a strange environment just to share the rest
of her life with you. Was she handed over to you to be a
target of your physical and verbal abuse?
The Prophet (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam)
is reported to have said in connection with the treatment of
animals: ‘Fear Allah in your treatment of these animals who
cannot speak.’ If this was his concern for the animals, how
tremendously greater would his concern have been for humans;
therefore, can you imagine what his reaction would have been
to the wife battering that takes place nowadays?
What then are the most important ingredients
of a happy marriage? Allah Taãla says in Surah Roum (30)
verse 21.
‘And from amongst His signs is that He created for you
from amongst yourselves partners, that you may live in
tranquility with them, and He has created love and mercy
between you. Verily in that are signs for those who
reflect.’
It is this love and mercy that strengthens
the bond of marriage. The ability to overlook each other’s
faults goes a long way in cementing the relationship. Once a
man came to Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) and
said, ‘O Allah’s messenger, how many times should I
forgive the wrongs of my slaves.’ The Prophet (Sallallaahu
Álayhi Wasallam) replied, ‘Forgive them seventy times a
day.’ If a worker is entitled to so much of compassion what
about your lifelong companion?
BEST OF YOU
Today, we are very courteous to our clients, appreciative to
our colleagues and cheerful to our friends. Unfortunately this
warmth is not extended to the poor wife who is most deserving
of this courtesy and charm. The Prophet (Sallallaahu Álayhi
Wasallam) is reported to have said, ‘The most complete of
believers in faith are those who are best in character. The
best of you are those who are best to their wives.’ (Mishkat)
Every person has shortcomings. It is
therefore quite natural to find this in your partner. The
Prophet (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) has advised us to take
pleasure in the good and overlook the bad. Have you ever
spared the thought that there may be so many habits which you
possess that may be bringing grief to your wife? She may have
been patiently bearing it not wanting to hurt your feelings.
Let us go back and fulfil the demands of this contract.
TREAT YOUR WIFE AS YOU WOULD
LIKE YOUR SON-IN-LAW TO TREAT YOUR DAUGHTER.
Back to Content
|