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The Holy Prophet SA,s compassion towards women
The Holy Prophets’ said, “Paradise lies under the feet of mothers.” The
obedience and service towards the mother brings about Allah
Almighty’s pleasure and draws a person near paradise. On the other
hand, God is displeased if someone acts disrespectfully towards the
mother and the person strays away from the rewards of God Almighty,
even though his other deeds are good.
The most important, yet the most oppressed state of women is that
which is called by the name of “wife”. It is for this reason that the
greatest benefactor of womankind, the Holy Prophetsa had to lay special
emphasis on kind treatment towards wives. The Holy Prophetsa said:
وأنا خيركم ألھلی،خيركم خيركم ألھله
“The best of you is the one whose treatment towards his wife is the best
and my conduct towards my wives is the best from among you.”
The saying is captivating and encourages kind treatment. It is a great
truth which manifests the status and dignity of wives in its entirety.
Acting kindly towards one’s wife is declared a standard of virtue.
When somebody enquired about the rights of a wife from the Holy
Prophetsa, he said, “Whatever you eat, you should give her to eat as
well. When you wear new clothes, make them for her as well. Never
hit her on the face. Never say a bad word to her. Never separate from
her.”
Indeed, he explained that the way husband stays within the house, it is
necessary to keep the wife in the same condition. It is not permissible
for one to live in a good condition and keep their wife in a bad state.
One should not insult and humiliate her. If, owing to calm a situation
or for any other settlement, you have to separate, then you can do that
while staying within the four walls of the house. So that no harm is
done to the overall love and affection in the household, separation for
reconciliation does not become the source of hatred.
The Holy Prophetsa was so concerned about the rights of women that in
the last sermon which he delivered on the occasion of Hajj at Arafat,
he addressed the Muslims in the following manner:
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“O people! Some rights of yours are due upon women and some rights
of theirs are due upon you. Act mercifully towards your wives. You
have married them believing in God to be Omnipresent and
Omniscient, and they have been made lawful for you under the
directions of God Almighty. Hence, you have offered them protection
under the obligation of God Almighty.”
Even in his last will, our beneficent Prophetsa was concerned about our
prosperity and progress. He drew attention towards the rights of women
in the best possible way and stressed upon behaving kindly towards
them. O Allah, shower peace, blessings and bounties upon
Muhammadsa.
Not only did the Holy Prophetsa declare the cruel practice of burying
daughters alive forbidden, he laid emphasis on behaving
compassionately and affectionately towards daughters also. Hence, he
said, “Should I not tell you that there is no better charity than looking
after your daughter when she comes to you and no other person in the
world cares for her except you.”
How beautifully has the Holy Prophetsa highlighted that if your
daughter becomes worthy of help, you must assist her. Aiding her in
this condition is the best of virtues.
On one occasion, the Holy Prophetsa said, “The person who is blessed
with daughters and treats them kindly, the same daughters will veil
them from the fire of hell.”
Furthermore, he said, “Whosoever looks after his daughters, he and I
will be like this in the Hereafter”, and he joined two of his fingers,
meaning that the Prophetsa and such a person would be together.
In the present age, conditions have changed a lot, but the person who
ponders over the circumstances 13 centuries ago can very easily realise
the significance of the Holy Prophet’ssa instructions. The being who
was considered a calamity by her mother and a disgrace by her father,
the Prophetsa established her love in the hearts of parents. Moreover, he
expressed that daughters equally deserves our kindness and affection
as sons do.
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The Holy Prophetsa said, “Fear God Almighty with respect to [the
rights] of women and orphans.” As both are weak classes [of society],
therefore he put emphasis not to deprive them from their rights owing
to their weakness and whilst fearing God, their due rights should be
given. If one fails to do so, God Almighty shall hold them accountable.
All nations deprived women from the rights of inheritance. It was only
Islam that recognised the right of inheritance for women
It was only the blessed personage of Rahmatun-lil-Alamin who yearned
for the prosperity and progress of women and who endeavoured for
them to the fullest possible extent. Hence, how much worthy of respect,
honour and love is that holy personality who is our greatest benefactor
beneath the skies! Peace, blessings and bounties of Allah be upon him.
Throughout history, women have been powerless and weak.
Before the Holy Prophet Muhammad’s arrival, a woman was
regarded as man’s slave and property, and no religion or nation
could offer the woman rights and freedom. When their husbands
died, they were forced to marry relatives or sold for money. There
was no law that could protect them.
Prophet Muhammad proclaimed in the name of God that men
and women are equal. He declared that a man does not own his
wife. He may not sell or force her into slavery. The teaching of
the Holy Prophet raised the status of women as being not only
equal to men, but also gave them freedom for social, physical
and spiritual development.
