The Characteristics of the Pious Wife by Shaikh Abdur-Razzaaq

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There is a hadith of the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) with regards to this, and it is what has been collected by Ibn Hibbaan in his saheeh from the hadith of Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu) that the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: ‘‘If the woman prays her five daily prayers, fasts the month of Ramadan, guards her chastity and obeys her husband, she will enter paradise from any of its doors she wishes.’’

Imaam Ahmad narrates in his musnad from the hadith of Abdur-Rahmaan Bin Awf (radiyallaahu-anhu) that Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: ‘‘If a woman prays her five daily prayers, fasts the month of Ramadaan, guards her chastity and obeys her husband, it will be said to her: ‘Enter paradise through any of its doors that you wish’.’’

Therefore, congratulations to the Muslim woman with regards to this noble promise, this ample favour and goodness, which Allaah has promised her. (These are) four deeds which can be counted on the fingers of one hand and not two.  If she guards these four deeds, it would be said to her on yaumul qiyaamah: ‘‘Enter paradise through any of its doors that you wish’’.

And is it not the reality with regards to the woman who is sincere to herself that she concerns herself with these characteristics, and give importance to such endowments and is diligent in fulfilling these duties? Guarding her five daily prayers, guarding her fasting the month of ramadaan, guarding her chastity and the rights of her husband, in order that she may attain this blessed promise and ample goodness, and so that it is said to her on yaumul qiyaamah: ‘‘Enter Paradise through any of its doors that you wish’’.

Indeed the foundation of righteousness in a woman and her being righteous in the (presence of her Lord) is attached to the perfection of her obedience, her seeking to get close to (Allaah) and being diligent upon worshiping (Allaah).  This righteousness and steadfastness is the secret behind her happiness; it is the secret behind her prosperity and success in her entire life, in relation to her marriage life, the uprightness of her children and progeny, and her living a blessed salubrious life.

And for this reason it is emphasized for the one who wishes good for his/her soul, and it is emphasized for those in charge of the affairs and wish for goodness for their daughters, that they bring up their daughters upon righteousness and steadfastness; upon guarding the acts of worship and paying attention to the prescribed duties of Islaam, especially the five daily prayers and the fasting of the month of Ramadan; and being distant from everything that bears (a bad) influence upon the chastity and nobility of the woman.  This is what has been transmitted in this hadith, that ‘‘she guards her chastity’’.

And there are many amongst the women who are orientated towards giving importance to outward appearance/fashion when consenting to marriage; She is orientated towards the appearance/fashion of (other) daughters of her social class and those similar to her; (saying) such and such did; (or) in the marriage of such and such they did it like this.  She is orientated by her views towards such considerations and thus bringing about extravagance, self-indulgence, an increase in overspending and waste of wealth in addition to what may also occur of evil and forbidden affairs.  This starting point and introduction to marriage is the cause of a decrease in blessings, (and it is a cause) of little goodness (in marriage). On the contrary, when the woman and her family distance themselves from that; avoiding extravagance, disobedience and sin, and there is neither inconvenience and overspending nor extravagance in spending, then in this case goodness is accomplished and (receiving) blessings is warranted.