The Characteristics of the Pious Wife by Shaikh Abdur-Razzaaq

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Shaytaan’s Amibition

Furthermore, amongst the characteristics of the pious wife is that (she) is mindful of the accursed Shaytaan. Shaytaan’s ambition is to cause corruption in this life; corruption of the religion; corruption of good manners, good dealings, good (family relations), brotherhood and every good thing. Every day he sends his armies out to fulfil this ambition.

Contemplate with me upon this hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim: Jaabir Bin Abdillaah (radiyallaahu-anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: ‘’Indeed, Iblees places his throne on water, and then sends his cavalries out (to commit corruption). The closest to him in status amongst them is the one who causes the greatest trial and tribulation, meaning: The closest to him is the one who causes the greatest trial and tribulation between the people; so one of them comes along and says: ‘’I did such and such,’’ he (Iblees) says: ‘’You have not done anything.’’ Then one of them says: ‘’I did not leave such and such (person) until I separated him from his wife.’’ So he (Iblees) draws close to him and says: ‘’You are a blessing.’’ Al-Amash said: ‘’He (Iblees) attaches himself to him’’; that is: ‘’he embraces him and draws close to him when he separates a woman from her husband.’’ [Hadeeth Number: 2813]

So the righteous wife must acquire understanding in this affair; she must be weary of this reality and likewise her husband (should be weary). Each one of them should be weary (of the fact that) there is the hidden enemy, he sees you but you cannot see him.  He runs within you like blood runs in the veins; he whispers, conspires and plots……and all of this is his practice whilst you are unable to see him. He whispers in your heart and (in your) wife’s heart and brings about doubts until enmity occurs. He has a number of passageways (in achieving this ambition).

And for this reason, the Sunnah has (prescribed) a fortification against Shaytaan at the time of entry into the home; at the time of intimacy, eating, anger and in every affair from those affairs in which a person is in need of fortification against Shaytaan; lest shaytaan should participate in the (affairs) of his family, household and children.  He is in need of fortifying himself through the blessed invocations, the Qur’aan, the transmitted supplications and through obedience to Allaah and worshipping Him. Therefore, amongst the characteristics of the pious wife is that she is mindful of the plots, the insinuations and whispering of Shaytaan, and that which he throws into the souls, which results in paying attention to him, lending him an ear, corruption of the family and destruction of a married household.