(They are) those who are patient ones, those who are true (in Faith, words, and deeds), and obedient with sincere devotion in worship to Allah. Those who spend [give the Zakat and alms in the Way of Allah] and those who pray and beg Allah’s Pardon in the last hours of the night. [ 3:17]
Allah (تعالى) said:
وَبِالأَسْحَارِ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ
And in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness.[51:18]
These two verses establish the legislated act to ask Allah for forgiveness in the last hours of the night before dawn or the last 6th of the night.[1] Include in these verse is time of Suhur .The word Suhur (سحور (comes from (سحر )Sahr.
Allah said: And in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness.” This means that during those hours of night they ask Allah for his forgiveness. The salaf used to wake up at night regularly to offer prayer then afterwards they would seek Allah’s forgiveness and pardon.[2]
Hasan Al-Basri said: The (Salaf) wouldn’t sleep much at night. In fact they were active in worship and sometimes this would extend to until the last 6th of the night; and then they would complete those acts of worship by making Istighfar.[3]
The Suhur has been mentioned by the Prophet[ﷺ] to be blessed. He [ﷺ] said
Imam Qadi Al-Iyyad mentioned what blessings come from Suhur in his explanation of Sahih Al-Muslim.
· Help the fasting person fast easier.
· Adds to the Iftar meal
· Add blessing to the time that it’s consumed and this is at the pre-dawn. The word Suhur comes Sahr which is eaten at that time. Actions and supplications done during those hours are accepted.
· During Suhur Allah’s Mercy descends to Earth.[5]
When looking and reflecting over the verse Al-Imran the description fits the people who are fasting. Allah (تعالى ) said:(They are) those who are patient ones, those who are true (in Faith, words, and deeds), and obedient with sincere devotion in worship to Allah. Those who spend [give the Zakat and alms in the Way of Allah] and those who pray and beg Allah’s Pardon in the last hours of the night. [ 3:17]
They are patient, true in faith, devote in their worship, pray and beg Allah’s Pardon. Imam Al-Qurtubi said: “The people having Suhur for Allah’s pleasure stand up praying the night prayer, and in most cases when a person is praying he’s making dua, and seeking Allah’s forgiveness, all which take place in Ramadan.[6]
Imam Al-Qurtubi in his Tafsir mentioned that Sayyidul Istighfar should be said during the last hours of the night. [7]
So during this blessed month let’s make istighfar to fill in the gaps where we might haave fallen short in worship during the fast. Allah knows best.
Prepared by Abu Aaliyah Abdullah ibn Dwight Battle
An explanation for the Hadith The Devils are chained in Ramadan
An Explanation for the Hadith
The Devils are chained in Ramadan
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ ، رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ ، يَقُولُ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم : إِذَا دَخَلَ رَمَضَانُ فُتِّحَتْ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ وَغُلِّقَتْ أَبْوَابُ جَهَنَّمَ وَسُلْسِلَتِ الشَّيَاطِينُ
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with) said, the Prophet (ﷺ) said :” When Ramadan Begins the gates of Paradise open up, the doors of Hell are locked and the devils are chained[1]
Benefits of this subject:
This hadith was only reported by Abu Hurayrah through the books of Hadith.
Imam Qadi Al-Iyyad said this hadith shows the chief virtue of Ramadan and its holiness. [2]
This Hadith proves that Jannah and Jaheem exist now and that they both have doors that open and close.[3]
This Hadith establishes the existence of the devils and that they have bodies which can be shackled and bound up.[4]
Fence Padlock Chain Gate Outdoor Security Lock
When Ramadan begins… These words prove that it is allowed to say Ramadan without attaching the word month to it, and then saying, “The month of Ramadan.” Imam Malik held the view that it was required to add the word month to Ramadan ;as it is considered a name of Allah. The hadith Imam Malik used to support that view is weak. [5]
The gates of Paradise open…this proves that Jannah is above us in the heavens.[6]
The devils are chained. This has two possible meanings.
The devils are actually shackled and confined to Hell. Therefore, their harm and whispers during Ramadhan aren’t like any other month. The gates of Paradise are open is the literal meaning.
Some scholars say this is in the figurative sense. Hence it means Allah has opened up the doors of Jannah by opening up the actions that lead us to Jannah. For instance, praying, fasting, and reading the Quran are actions that assist a person to enter Jannah. The road to Paradise during Ramadah is easier; since deeds practiced during this month are more likely to be accepted.
The doors of Hell are locked…infers that the avenues to sin are shutdown, and for that reason, a person leaves off the actions that would land him in the Hell-fire. Allah doesn’t take a person to account for his bad deeds; and He saves him by blessing the servant with a month full of blessings. Allah exchanges the person’s bad deeds with good ones, and pardons him for his previous sins. This is one interpretation for the meaning of the phrase. “the doors of Hell are locked”
The doors of Hell are locked… This shouldn’t be interpreted to mean that if a disbeliever dies in Ramadan that he won’t punished during this period.[7]
The devils are chained…this implies that Allah protects the majority of the Muslims from committing acts of disobedience, giving ear to the whispers of Satan and his comrades.[8]
There is another hadith also reported by Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) collected by Imam An-Nasa’I in Al-Kubara # 2421
The Prophet (ﷺ) said :”When the month of Ramadan begins the doors of mercy are opened up, the doors of Hell are locked and the devils are chained.”.
This hadith is what some other scholars have used to interpret the figurative meaning for the hadith in the wording, “the doors of mercy are open.” and in another narration, “the doors of the heavens are open..”
Imam At-Tibee said: When doors of the Heavens are open this means that the Angels stand to praise the actions of the people fasting and this holds a great status in the sight of Allah.
A person might still say that either way we know that the devils are either locked up literally, or figuratively ,thus they can’t harm us as much during Ramadan as compared to the other months of the year. Consequently, why do we notice some people continuing to sin a lot ?
The answer to this is easy. The devils are chained up from harming the people who are fasting correctly by following its conditions and manners. The person not fasting correctly then the devil isn’t isolated from him. Moreover, it is that some of the devils are locked up and these are the worst of the Jinn. For the reason that, we notice that sins are still lesser practiced during the month of Ramadan.[9]
In conclusion, after looking at the different Imans’ views and opinions for the Hadith’s meaning then Imam Ibn Abdul Bar’s words strike me the most.
“Allah pardons the faster for his bad deeds and rewards him for his good ones, and based on that the doors of Hell are closed. In addition to this Fasting is a shield (as mentioned in authentic hadith) and this shield protects the servant from Hell. The doors of Paradise are opened as their good deeds cleanse them and are accepted during Ramadan.” [10]
And Allah the most High knows best
Prepared by the one in need of His Mercy
Abu Aaliyah Abdullah ibn Dwight Battle
Ramadan 1st, Quarantined by COVID-19
Please contribute to the production of this content by leaving a small ‘Tip’ below.
[1] Al-Muwatta 862, Bukhari 1899, Muslim 2548, An-Nasa’I 2105, Ahmed 2/281 all by way of Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه)
[2] Refer to Imam An-Nawawi’s explanation for Sahih Muslim vol4/pg 46
[3] Bahrul Muheet, by Shaykh Muhammad Adam Al-Ethiopian vol 20/pg 371
A Brief Discussion on the Conspiracies and the Divine Reality of The Covid-19
A Brief Discussion on the Conspiracies and the Divine Reality
of The Covid-19
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Over the last few weeks there has been has been an information overload about the Coronavirus outbreak. Some people have claimed to know how to treat it by using herbs, or other medicines, while other people claim its being caused by the 5G . Along with this there is another group claiming the COVID 19 is a biological weapon of mass destruction. Ironically, a few people have even stated its all hoax and the reality of the COVID 19, is that it is just another name for the Flu. Nonetheless, with these entire claims one thing for certain from what’s witnessed, is people are getting sick, and people are dying which all returns back to the Divine decree of Allah.
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
There is no superstitious infection, no safar, no hama. A Bedioun said: Allah’s Messenger, how is it that when the camel is in the sand it is like a deer-then a camel afflicted with scab mixes with it and it is affected by the other? He (ﷺ) said: Who infected the first one?
This is hadith highlights 2 important points:
There is no such thing as superstitious infections.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Who infected the 1st one.” Imam Badrudeen Al-Ayani said: These words are from the articulacy skills of the Prophet ( ﷺ ) to get the man to think and trace the chain of the illness back to the creator, who allowed this sickness to affect the 2nd being. For example when you say 3 was infected by 2 and 2 was infected from 1, then the question remains who allowed the 1st person to get infected.[1]
In other words if you found this infection in the 1st person without him contracting it from another person, then who other than Allah sent it to him? Therefore the same must apply to the 2nd,the 3rd, and the 4th person infected.[2]
The COVID 19 conspiracies have proven that the trial of ignorance is toxic. At the beginning of the outbreak, a group of Muslims flocked to Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram ,and even Google before returning to senior scholars. Allah said:
When there comes to them some matter touching (public) safety or fear, they make it known (among the people), if only they had referred it to the Messenger or to those charged with authority among them, the proper investigators would have understood it from them (directly). Had it not been for the Grace and Mercy of Allah upon you, you would have followed Shaitan (Satan), save a few of you.[3]
There’s a serious disconnect when a Muslim male or female feels comfortable returning to unqualified specialists or non-Muslims for guidance and advise in issues of health, public safety , concern or fear. What countless people have done during this trial was collect the best embellished arguments they found on social media and thus share them with their contacts. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “ It’s enough for a person to be known as liar when he narrates everything that he hears.”[4]
To add insult to injury not only in some cases was information from unknown sources, but at other times from people with zero credibility. One prime example of this is a video from a guy named David Icke, who’s pushing the 5G conspiracy. Let me remind you that this is the same man who claimed he was the, “Son of God”, and if that doesn’t make one drop his narrations then I don’t know what will, and I can understand how such a person could follow the Dajjal and join his army when he arrives.[5]
Allah said: O you who believe! If a rebellious evil person comes to you with news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful to what you have done.[6]
Pay attention to what Allah commanded us to do when a sinful person comes to us with news! Then how about when a disbeliever who slanders Allah’s Oneness is the narrator!?
The issue of the biological warfare between America and China hasn’t been able to definitively be proven to this day, just conspiracies. Some which were circulated from a small town preacher who claims to have TOP SECRECT documents from the White House in his possession. OK!
Allah said: Every time they kindled the fire of war, Allah extinguished it; and they (ever) strive to make mischief on earth. And Allah does not like the Mufsidun (mischief-makers).[7]
The other party for conspiracies came to the conclusion that the real reason behind this global pandemic is population control. Population control isn’t something unfounded and unrecorded throughout history. In the Quran Allah mentioned the conspiracy of population control around Fir’aun and his political party.
He said;
And (remember) when We rescued you from Fir’aun’s (Pharaoh) people, who were afflicting you with the worst torment, killing your sons and letting your women live. And in that was a great trial from your Lord.[8]
Fir’aun was ordering his party to kill the male boys and leave the women out of fear that a male would be born and challenge his authority. Allah said that was trial which He sent down. At any rate the conspiracy of Fir’aun was proven unsuccessful, by the Divine plan of Allah.
In the Middle East the Arabs and their indecisive assemblies blame the COVID 19 pandemic on America and the Jewish state, uttering it’s a lab made chemical weapon, and that the cure is already made sitting stored in the labs in the USA. This theory is of course the most pathetic one out there, as it’s their customary standard to blame every calamity that befalls them on the Jewish state and her allies and at the same time neglect attributing their afflictions to what their own hands have put forth.
Allah said: And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned.[9]
Ibn Al-Kathir said this verse means that whatever calamity befalls mankind is a direct result of their bad actions.
From all these plots and conspiracies gathered collected and circulated a person could favor the mandatory vaccine program coming into place when this is all over. The people rallying behind this conspiracy are doing so based on knowledge and experience of their government. The history of the United States of America with vaccines and man created epidemics. Briefly I can highlight that in the early 1920s in Kansas City, Missouri, a citizen’s watchdog group called “The Advertiser’s Protective Bureau” successfully prosecuted the Missouri state chapter of the AMA, the Jackson Medical Society, for unduly spreading fear about a smallpox pandemic when none existed.
“In the fall of 1921, the health of the city was unusually good, but slow for the doctors. So the Jackson Medical Society met and resolved to make an epidemic in the city. According to the minutes of this meeting, ‘a motion was made and seconded, that a recommendation be made by the committee, to the board of health, that an epidemic of smallpox be declared in the city…it was moved and seconded that a day be set aside, termed Vaccination Day, on which physicians would be stationed at all schools, clinics, public buildings and hospitals to vaccinate “free of charge”…it is further recommended that wide publicity be given, stating that vaccination is a preventive of smallpox, and urging the absolute necessity of vaccination for every man, woman, and child in the city.’”[10]
Allah’s aide is needed! There many other cases which could be cited here, but won’t be for the length of this response. Nevertheless, vaccines have their place to help maintain health and protect against illness.
The Prophet (ﷺ ) recommended 7 Ajwa dates in the morning on an empty stomach to fight and combat magic and poison.
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “He who eats seven ‘Ajwa dates every morning, will not be affected by poison or magic on the day he eats them.”[11]
Despite this prophetic advice many people will think its better and feel safer to avoid vaccines when looking back at the four decade Tuskegee syphilis experiment[12]
The purpose of presenting these arguments isn’t to agree, or support that the COVID-19 is a man-made pandemic to enforce mandatory vaccination, but rather to unearth facts and find common ground with people who believe it. Ibn Taymiyyah said: There are people who seek dominance in the world and spread corruption. These acts are disobedience to Allah. The people behind these (conspiracies) of world dominance are World leaders and corrupted politicians similar to Fir’aun and his party. These kinds of people are the worst of mankind.
Allah said: Verily, Fir’aun (Pharaoh) exalted himself in the land and made its people sects, weakening (oppressing) a group (i.e. Children of Israel) among them, killing their sons, and letting their females live. Verily, he was of the Mufsidun (i.e. those who commit great sins and crimes, oppressors, tyrants, etc.).
Everyone seeking supremacy will only be faced with humiliation.[13]
As people intellect we have to acknowledge that it is Allah’s will for the happening of COVID-19 and these are historical times for us, to witness a Ramadhan when the Masjids are closed, travelling freely restricted, curfews in place and major cities looking like ghost towns from an apocalypse movie. Hence instead of trying to focus on the hidden meanings of what is going on, why not pay more attention to what is apparent?
Avoid being arrogant in denying Allah’s signs similar to fir’aun. Allah said: So We sent on them: the flood, the locusts, the lice, the frogs, and the blood: (as a succession of) manifest signs, yet they remained arrogant, and they were of those people who were Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners, etc.).[14]
There are some many signs around us every day and occurrences like earthquakes, Tsunamis, hurricanes and eclipses which have become common and don’t really serve as admonitions anymore. Hence I can understand why this pandemic might have some people deny the Might and Strength of Allah.
Allah said: I shall turn away from My Ayat (verses of the Qur’an) those who behave arrogantly on the earth, without a right, and (even) if they see all the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they will not believe in them.[15]
Don’t reject this as a divine sign from your Lord who owns, governs the universe and causes death and gives life. If we return our current affairs to the scholars well-grounded in this religion and people qualified to speak about medicine and then abandon every Tom, Dick, and Harry given a voice on social media then that is the beginning for restructuring the principles which our faith built on.
Allah said: And if they see the way of righteousness (monotheism, piety, and good deeds), they will not adopt it as the Way, but if they see the way of error (polytheism, crimes and evil deeds), they will adopt that way, that is because they have rejected Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and were heedless (to learn a lesson) from them.[16]
In the COVID-19 event there isn’t just a Divine sign from our Creator, but a sign that affirms Muhammad (ﷺ) was the Messenger of Allah; as he mentioned this event 1400 years ago. He (ﷺ) said: Immorality never appears among a people to such an extent that they commit it openly, but plagues and diseases that were never known among the ancestors will spread among them.[17]
Reflect over that last hadith and Allah knows best and stay safe. I beg Allah to lift this pandemic from the World. I beg Allah to reopen His houses on the Earth again and to grant mankind ease in this time of difficulty
[17] Ibn Majah 4019/ graded Sahih by Imam Al-Albani
The Story of Al-Khadir and Musa
The Story of Khadir and Musa
By Al-Amir As-Sanan’I
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Who was Al-Khadir ?
The Prophet (ﷺ) said he was called Al-Khadir because he sat on a Barren ground and it turned green beneath him. (Al-bukhari3402)
Al-Mujahid said: He was called Al-Khadir because wherever he prayed the field around him turned green.
An-Nawawi said: There is a consensus among the scholars that his kunya is , “ Abul Abbass”.
Al-Hafith Ibn Hajr said: There is a difference of opinion as to why he was called Al-Khadir, if he was a Prophet, and if he still lives.
Was Al-Khadir a Prophet or a Messenger?
Ibn Atiyah and Al-Baghawi both mentioned that most scholars have determined that Al-Khadir was a prophet, but they differ if he was a messenger, while some Sufis say he was a righteous devout servant.
There are some evidences that establish the Prophet hood of Al-Khadir.
Imam Al-Qurtubi said according to the majority of the scholars Al-Khadir was a Prophet. This is based on the verse, “ Musa said to him, “May I follow you so that you teach me something of that knowledge which you have been taught (by Allah)? [Al-Kahf-66]
This infers that a Prophet doesn’t take knowledge from someone lesser than him and that things related to the unseen are only manifest to Prophets.[ Al-Fath6/434]
Allah said: “And whom We have taught knowledge from us.” [Al-Kahf -65]. The meaning for knowledge in this verse represents Prophet hood. This is further supported by two verses in the Quran; Al-Qasas ; 86 and Az-Zukhruf :32
Allah said : “ Musa said to him, “May I follow you so that you teach me something of that knowledge which you have been taught (by Allah)? [Al-Kahf-66]
A Prophet only and learns and follows other Prophets.
“ And I did it not from my own accord.” [Al-Kahf-82] Al-Asam said : The means that Al-Khadir did those actions based on Divine Revelation, which further proves he was a Prophet.
Allah said: “And whom We have taught knowledge from Us.” [Al-Kahf-65].
This implies that Allah taught Al-Khadir directly and everyone who learns from Allah without a human between them is considered a Prophet, so the things learnt are considered revelation.
Al-Amir As-Sanan’I said: Therefore the strongest of opinions is Al-Khadir was a Prophet and not a saint; as the Sufis claim. This debunks the claim that saints know more than Prophets. The Sufis use the story of Al-Khadir and Musa as proof that saints have real knowledge and know the true essence of things.
Is Al-Khadir alive or dead?
Ibn Hajr mentioned in Fath that Ibn As-Salah said: There is a majority among the scholars that Al-Khadir is still alive, and only a few scholars among the people of Hadith differ in this view, and Imam An-Nawawi agreed with him. [1]
After mentioning the weak and fabricated narrations Ibn Harj concluded that Al-Khadir is dead. Ibn Taymiyyah said: The correct position in the issue of Al-Khadir is that he is dead and didn’t live to see Islam .
Al-Amir As-Sanan’I said: The correct positon regarding Al-Khadir is he is dead and he didn’t live to the era of Muhammad (ﷺ). This is based on strong evidence from the Quran and the Sunnah.
Allah said: “And we granted not to any human being immortality before you.” [Al-Anbiya-34]
Bani’ Israel asked Musa who was the most knowledgeable on Earth and he replied, “I am”, and he didn’t say Allah knows best. Therefore he was tested by those words with a man more knowledgeable than him. [2]
The story of Musa and Al-Khadir is one that many scholars have used to highlight the manners and etiquettes of a student with his teacher. However, this story isn’t only restricted to those mannerisms, but also covers many Fiqh principles and maxims. Some those benefits are;
Whenever a person intends to travel then he should choose a close companion whom he trusts to accompany him.
A person should place some importance in seeking knowledge.
A person should place some importance on traveling to attain knowledge and prepare himself along the way for the difficulties that come with it.
Al-Khadir placed a hole in the ship and built a wall in order choose between the lesser of the two evils.
Allah decreed that the young boy be killed at the hands of Al-Khadir similarly to how the Angel of death takes souls. The purpose of this was for Musa to see the wisdom of Allah, and at the same time understand this was a mercy for the boy and his parents.
The scholar’s role is to advise those who wish to companion him and learn from him.
This story also shows us that the scholar doesn’t have to reply right away to those who refute him.
When a prophet seeks knowledge this doesn’t lower his status, even if he were to learn from other than a prophet or messenger.
This story shows that every legislation given to the prophets protected 5 things; the soul, the wealth, the religion, the lineage, and the intellect. The two mentioned in this story are the protection of one’s property and religion. When Al-Khadir scuttled the ship Musa thought that he wasted wealth and took a life, however, Al-Khadir informed him that he did that to preserve one’s wealth. When Al-Khadir killed the boy, then Musa thought that he wasted a life unjustly, however, Al-Khadir told Musa that he killed him to protect the religion. Therefore based on that Musa learned which of these 5 things that Sharia protects is given precedence. i.e Protecting the religion takes precedence over protecting life.
The story highlights some the pretext of Allah’s actions.
It is allowed for a person to say, “I forgot”, The young man accompanying Musa said, “ I indeed forgot the fish…” [Al-Khaf63] and Musa said to Al-Khadir, “ Don’t call me to account for what I forgot.” [Al-Khaf:73]. In regards to avoding this word, then it probably only applies to the Quran. i.e don’t say I forgot that verse. These are some of the manners for dealing with the Quran.
It appears to me that the reason this story is in Al-Khaf is because the Jews used to taunt the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) with questions he couldn’t answer right away. For example they asked him about the soul, the people of the cave, and Thul Qarnayn, only to try and show he was unable to answer their questions and was ignorant. He didn’t answer them right away as he had to wait for revelation to ascend and to come down a little slower than normal, so much so the Polytheists said, “ Your lord has left you.”
The enemies of Muhammad took advantage of that delay, and then Allah sent him the answers to their questions and added the story of Musa to show that Musa was unaware of three things as well, and this didn’t diminish his rank as a prophet. [3]
Translated and complied by Abu Aaliyah Abduallah ibn Dwight Battle
[3] A Research into the Story of Musa and Al-Khadir, by Al-Amir As-Sanan’I vol 3 pg 219.
Exercising Great Patience with Our Wives Stories of the Prophets and the Salaf
Exercising
great patience with Our Wives
Stories
of the Prophets and the Salaf
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
How would you respond to a wife who every time you came home had something negative to say or every time you got into an argument with her you found her to be foul mouth and insulting, For many, the answer would be, “ I’d divorce that bint.”, Then if we go with that answer then the divorce rate would skyrocket. In this brief article, I want to mention some stories of our Salaf to learn some lessons in regards to dealing with sharp lounged spouses.
Allah said: and you should not treat them with harshness (An-Nisa:19)
Allah said: And live with them
honorably. (An-Nisa:19)
Allah said: If you dislike them, it
may be that you dislike a thing and Allah brings through it a great deal of
good. (An-Nisa:19)
In these verses Allah orders us to treat
our wives kindly and to live with them in righteousness; and when we see
something we dislike in them then know that it’s possible that Allah will
facilitate an abundance of good from their companionship.
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “A believer must not hate (his wife) believing
woman; if he dislikes one of her characteristics he will be pleased with
another“.[1]
Often times the man who finds bad
character with his wife in some areas will complain to his parents about her,
who would simply say divorce her or get rid of her. Ironically, to that
response some would believe that is considered obedience to their parents;
however it isn’t.
Hasan Al-Basri was asked about man whose mother tells him to divorce his wife. He replied: “Divorcing your wife as she requested isn’t being dutiful to your mother.[2]
Imam Ahmed was asked what to do from a man whose father ordered him to divorce his wife. Imam Ahmed said: “Don’t divorce her.” The man then said, but didn’t Umar order his son Abdullah to divorce his wife?” Imam Ahmed said, “Oh your father is like Umar ibn Al-Khattab ?!”[3]
There are lessons in how to deal with wives who have sharp tongues and are ill-mannered and in many cases divorcing them isn’t the first option or even the last.
For example Allah said: Allah sets forth an example for those who disbelieve, the wife of
Nuh (Noah) and the wife of Lout (Lot). They were under two of our righteous
slaves, but they both betrayed their (husbands by rejecting their doctrine) so
they [Nuh (Noah) and Lout (Lot)] benefited them (their respective wives) not,
against Allah, and it was said: “Enter the Fire along with those who
enter!”[4]
These men were Prophet’s with the best of character
among their people chosen by Allah to deliver a Message, yet their wives
betrayed them. Nuh’s wife betrayed him by telling people that he was crazy and
Lut’s wife betrayed him by letting people know where the guest were staying in
town.[5]
Allah said: “And we bestowed upon Him
Zakiriyah and cured his wife.”
Some of the scholars of Tafsir have mentioned that the cure for Prophet Zakiriyah’s wife was in her tongue and in her character. Atta’ ibn Rabah and Muhammad ibn Ka’b said that she had a vicious tongue which she used to insult him with and bad character, thus Allah rectified her situation.[6]
Although some scholars say that the cure Allah gave to Zakiriyah’s was the ability to have children after she was barren, so Imam Ash-Shawkani said this doesn’t remove the point that Allah cured her of having bad character and a loose tongue. i.e Allah rectified her being, blessed her to have children after she couldn’t and aided her to have good character after bad character.[7]
Think about Prophet (ﷺ) advise to Laqit (radi
Allahu anhu)
I (the narrator Laqit) then said: Messenger of
Allah, I have a wife who has something (wrong) in her tongue, i.e. she is disrespectful.
He said: Then divorce her. I said: Messenger of Allah, she has companioned me
for a while and I have children with her. He said: Then ask her (to obey you).
If there is something good in her, she will do so (obey); and do not beat your
wife as you beat your slave-girl.[8]
In this hadith a companion complained about his wife’s bad character, then he realized the good in their relationship, by the fact they had children together, hence Muhammad’s(ﷺ) advise for him was to ask her to obey him, and avoid beating her if she didn’t obey him, as one would beat a slave who doesn’t obey him.
Al-Imam Abu Bakr ibn Al-Labaad Al-Maliky
(333H)
Imam Abu Bakr was married to a woman who had a loose tongue and she used to attack him with it. It was even said that one day she called him an adulterer, so his companions advised him to ask her who did you sleep with? When he asked her, she said the maid. They then told him to go back to her and say which maid? After that, she said, “Yours.” As a result of that, his companions said divorce her and we will supply her the rights she’s entitled to.
Imam Abu Bakr said,” I am afraid that if I divorce
she will be a trial for another Muslim, and perhaps Allah will repel from me a
great evil based on her accusation. I proposed to a lot of ladies, but Allah
decreed her as my wife, so how could divorcing her be a way to recompense the
favor Allah gave me. Every man has a test in this life and my wife is my trial.[9]
Ibn Abi Zayd al-Qayrawani had a wife who used to
treat him bad . She would fall short in giving him his rights and would abuse
him with her tongue. The people use to say to him you’re patient with her! He
replied Allah has blessed me with good health and knowledge and blessings with
all my possessions. Perhaps she was sent to me a punishment for my sins, so
therefore I’m afraid that if I divorce her Allah might send down another trial
for me more difficult than her.
Imam Ibn Abi Zayd was patient with the harms that
came from his wife through reflecting over his own shortcomings. This is something
the Salaf were known for. They rarely blamed others for the trials they faced,
but instead they would look at themselves as an evaluation. Allah said: . And
whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have
earned.[11]
Imam Ibn Qudama [620H]
He used to have a slave girl who used to abuse him
with her tongue and bad character, so he never said anything to her. i.e he
never got angry at her or replied her words or remarks.[12]
These few stories mentioned show that marriage life isn’t always sweet and sometimes with the roses, you have to take the thorns. Anyone wishing to get married should ask certain questions about temper issues if they aren’t able to cope with someone who has a short temper. Moreover, that person should learn patience and ask themselves are they able to be patient with certain situations. Furthermore, we need to realize that divorce, or even threatening a woman with divorce isn’t always the right answer.
Imam Ash-Shafa’I said : “I spent forty years asking
married couples about their relationships
and none of them said it was easy.” [13]
