The Rights of Husband and Wife

complaints will arise. Keeping this fact in mind, the Qur’anic injunction on the guarding of man’s secrets specifies that, even if a woman bears her husband a grudge it will still be unlawful for her to reveal his secrets. Even if she has differences with her husband she is not at liberty to disclose to others matters which he wishes to have kept in strict confidence. A woman is man’s secret-keeper. She is bound to remain so till the end of her days. THE MANAGEMENT OF THE HOME Addressing women, the Qur’an says: “Stay in your homes.”17 The commentators of the Qur’an have explained that in this verse a woman’s staying at home means that her sphere of activities should be her home.18 In modern times a woman has become an external show-piece, whereas according to the scheme of Islam a woman should stay at home and look after the internal responsibilities. Housekeeping, family requirements, management of all affairs at home, looking after the children — all are the woman’s responsibility: “staying at home” covers it all. Looking after a home is like looking after a state, even if it is on a much smaller scale. It is certainly as important and respectable a task as that carried out by a head of state: a woman should, therefore, engage herself in domestic affairs with the same zeal and energy as a genuine head of state, devoting her full potential to making her home an ideal one. She should nurture and cherish it as a gardener does his garden. As one of the hadith puts it: ‘The woman is the guardian of her husband’s home and she is accountable for it.’19 Proficiency in domestic matters is woman’s greatest ornament. A woman so equipped is the perfect woman, one deserving of honor and success in the life hereafter. THE BEST WOMAN The Prophet Muhammad was once asked who of all women was the best. He replied, “One who makes her husband happy when he sees her, who obeys her husband when he asks her for anything and who does not do anything against his will as regards either herself or his wealth.”20 This hadith very aptly points out a woman’s duties towards her husband. After facing the hardship of the outside world the man comes back home. Now the best wife is one who can bring him comfort and cheer. She should become a regular source of solace to her husband. Even when, on occasion, he asks her to do something without explaining all the pros and cons, she should — if she is a successful life partner — create no trouble over this at home, but do her utmost to see that her husband’s plans come to fruition. Her husband should also be able to trust her personally in her conduct, and rest assured that all his belongings will be properly looked after by her. The loyal wife then becomes the husband’s trustee in the fullest sense of the word. As well as being a comfort to her husband, she has to act as his deputy at home. The best