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The Third Principle:

It is the basis upon which all acts of obedience, virtue and (acts) of perfection are established, and that is Taqwallaah (Fear of Allaah). For indeed Fear of Allaah is the foundation of virtue, the fountainhead of goodness and the foundation of happiness in this life and the next.  And it is incumbent upon the Muslim woman to bear in mind that her adherence to the legislated Islamic etiquettes and adorning herself with the characteristics of virtue are a means amongst those means that lead to attaining the pleasure of Allaah and gaining His good recompense and reward.   And she will miss these (Islamic characteristics/etiquettes) in estimation to her negligence with regards to them.  And an elaboration of this (affair) will follow in its appropriate place Inshaa-Allaah.

Firstly, that which I shall begin with is what has been mentioned in Soorah An-Nisaa, regarding the characteristics of the pious wife.  Allaah (Tabaaraka-Wata-aalaa) said: ‘‘Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient to Allaah and to their husbands, and guard in the husband’s absence what Allaah orders them to guard.’’ [Nisaa; Ayah:34]

This part of the ayah combines (various) affairs in this subject matter. It gathers its evidences and every virtuous characteristic and noble quality for the righteous woman.   Therefore, this noble and blessed text shows us that the righteous wife is the one in whom are gathered two characteristics. The first characteristic is bounded to her relationship with her Lord and the second characteristic is bounded to her relationship with her master – her husband.

As for her relationship with her Lord, this is with regards to the statement of Allaah: ‘‘…devoutly obedient…’’

And devout obedience is to be diligent upon obedience to Allaah, being preserved upon worship of Allaah, adhering to obedience to Allaah, being attentive to the Islamic duties and obligations of the religion and not neglecting and ignoring them.   All of this falls under the statement of Allaah: ‘‘…devoutly obedient’’.

On the other hand, with regards to the statement of Allaah: ‘‘And guard in the husband’s absence what Allaah orders them to guard’’.  That is guarding the rights of her husband and master in his absence and likewise in speech; she guards him with regards to his wealth, his bed, his rights and obligations.  This occurs from her by the Tawfeeq of Allaah, His Facilitation, Aid and Guidance; and that is why He (Allaah) said: ‘‘And guard in the husband’s absence what Allaah orders them to guard.’’

Indeed the affair (i.e. righteousness of the woman) is (something) that is merely worthy of (taking place), or (something that takes place) through proficiency, brightness or smartness; rather it (takes place) by the Tawfeeq of Allaah, His Guidance and Facilitation. This reminds us of that which I mentioned a little while ago, that righteousness and guidance are (attained) by the Tawfeeq of Allaah, His Facilitation, His Aid and Him making it easily (obtained).  And included in the statement of Allaah: ‘‘…devoutly obedient…’’ is the woman’s preservation of the Islamic duties and the obligations of the religion.