30/01/2022
SOME IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF A MUSLIM HUSBAND'S DUTIES.
By Sheikh Yunus Mustafa Al Sheikh
BIsmillah
Islam as the Religion of Allah in its entirety defined the roles and responsibilities of men and women in all areas.
So it is in marriage too.
The man has been given the leadership and responsibility for protection and support in the marriage, thus, the Muslim man is primarily responsible for everything that happens within the marriage relationship and in his home.
Allah said in the Qur'an:
Sura 4:34 "Men are the protectors of women, because Allah has chosen one another for what they spend from their means."
Here the protection that Allah refers to is religious, intellectual, physical, material, professional, pecuniary, moral, psychological, emotional and sexual protection, that is, the Muslim has to protect his wife in all aspects of life.
This does not exclude the woman from responsibilities and decisions, but supports her in a way that the woman must be led and supported by the Muslim husband, who is responsible for conducting and harmonizing tasks and decisions.
let's see
Hadith 283 Riadussalihin: Ibn Umar raa reported that the Prophet saws said: Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you bears responsibility for those in his charge. Just as the Governor is a shepherd, the man in his house is also a shepherd (leader, authority, and guardian), and the woman is a shepherd as to her home, her husband, and her children (care of them). Therefore each of you is a shepherd, and responsible for those in your charge. (Muttafac Aleihi).
However, in this leadership there are parameters to be followed. The Muslim man must be a leader, not a tyrant.
The good leader according to the principles of Islam is the one who knows how to listen, ponder, talk to understand the desires, desires, opinions and needs and thus makes the best decision and indicates the right path understanding the particulars of his wife or wives, children and those under their responsibility.
The true Muslim leader earns respect and admiration and people feel safe in his presence.
Thus, he seeks knowledge, exercises his patience and seeks guidance from Allah in his decisions and attitudes preserving marriage, family, love and harmony by being kind, gentle and gentlemanly.
Riadussalihin hadith 273: Abu Hurairah raa reported that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: Treat women kindly. The woman (unlike men) was created from a rib, and the curved part of the rib is the upper part of it. If you want to straighten it, you will break it, and if you leave it as it is, it will be curved. Therefore, treat women kindly. (Muttafac Alehi)
The Muslim husband must also know the limits of his rights as well as his duties and must act according to the guidance of Allah and His Messenger Muhammad (pbuh).
These rights and duties are very clear in the Quran and Sunnah.
Riadussalihin hadith 276: [...] Know that you have rights over your women and they have rights over you. Your rights are to demand that they do not betray you, nor allow those who you do not want to enter your homes, and their rights over you is that you treat them well, feed and clothe them (At Tirmizi)
Quran 2:233 "Should (man) keep them and dress them decently.
To fulfill such duties and demand their rights, the Muslim must be in constant search for Islamic and secular knowledge.
As well as seeking their independence and financial stability, their emotional balance, their good physical and psychological condition as well as their teaching technique combined with benevolence, understanding and patience.
A good Muslim husband who abides by the above-mentioned rules of Islam is placed in a high rank by Allah and His Messenger.
This does not mean that he has a superiority that makes him above good and evil, but rather that his responsibility is so great that he must seek excellence in everything he does.
Hadith 285 Riyadussalihin: Abu Hurairah raa reported that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: If it were permissible for someone to prostrate himself before another person, I would have ordered the wife to prostrate herself to her husband. (At Tirmizi)
This narration is often understood as a permission to tyranny, to abuse, however, with close analysis it is seen that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said this indicating the immense responsibility of man before Allah for the responsibility and leadership that Allah has placed on his husband.
To prostrate oneself here means submission and not worship, but the one who receives this submission must necessarily be worthy and capable of meeting all the requirements of honor, strength, ability, knowledge, justice in decisions, leadership, benevolence, mercy, understanding, altruism, firmness, honesty and character, being provider, sustainer, protector, counselor, safe harbor, appeaser, harmonizer, teacher, tutor, in the end a true leader of his wife and family.
Baraka Allahu fikum wa jazakum Allahu khair.
