This is a story that has been circulating on social media
for quite long. I had read it like four or five years ago. Then I kept reading
it. I always liked it since the message it wanted to portray was superb. Until
now. Yes, until now. Recently I saw this post again on somebody’s page. This
particular post has 5,455 share and more than ten thousand likes, hearts or
wow. But I did not like it this time. Here it is for you to read:
It narrates a story that a poor man bought chicken and gave
it to his wife for cooking. She cooked it. But the curry had high quantity of
salt. Due to that the curry became too saltish to eat. The poor man had not
eaten chicken or meat in past six months. This was his first chicken dish in
six months. He became angry. He became angry that why there was high amount of
salt in it. But he kept on eating it. He did not say a word to his wife. He
thought he should pardon his wife because if it were his daughter he would have
wanted his son in law to pardon her. Also, his wife was a daughter of some one
else and a human made by Allah. So he pardoned his wife for putting extra salt
in the chicken which he had bought after a lot of hard work. After his death
some saint saw him in dream and asked about his meeting with the Lord Almighty.
He told the saint that Allah started telling him about his sins so he thought
he would go straight to hell. But then Allah forgave him, reason was that he
once forgave his wife for putting extra salt in chicken curry. Allah told him
that he did not scold her or beat her up with a stick and forgave her for
Allah’s sake so Allah forgave him too.
Isn’t it a spiritual story? So what was the reason that I
did not like it this time when I read it? I asked myself. I am a good muslim
and always believes in the mercy of The Most Merciful. Then why I did not like
it? So what is the problem in that, one may ask? Ask yourselves too that what
is wrong in this story? Do you find anything incorrect in it?
Well let me explain. First of all, nothing is mentioned
about the nature of that woman’s act. Was it deliberate or was that
unintentional? If it was unintentionally done then how could a husband
“forgive” his wife on an accidental act? He did “sabr” on this unintended work
of his wife. He did not “forgive” her! And what if she did it intentionally,
then who gave him the right to “forgive” her? Do you see it?
Why do we have to be reminded again and again that a wife is
not a servant of her husband? No Islam has ever said that. Pick one Hadi or
Ayah where Allah or His Messenger has said that? No! Allah clearly said in Chapter-2 of Quran,
Surah Al-Baqara:
“On the night of the fast it is lawful for you to have
sexual relations with your wives. They
are clothing/covering (libaas) for you and you for them….”
(2:187)
What is the role of “libaas” on a person? It is the most
intimate thing which hides and adorns a person. So that is what Allah made
spouses for each other.
Then my Lord described another beautiful nature of humans:
“And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves
mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you
affection and mercy. Indeed in that are
signs for a people who give thought.”
(30:21)
He created humans. He made a system to multiply the number
of His creatures. He created a whole system of hormones in us. And with that he
created a natural fondness between the opposite genders. It is all science. And
to fulfill that urge of fondness between genders, He created “Nikkah”, a verbal
bond that unite two people together. He did not mention anywhere to attain
tranquility by beating or scolding your wife. He cleared it by describing that
He placed affection between the two. so it is through love that you shall find
tranquility from your spouse. If Allah is so thoughtful that He described even
the mode of tranquility, then how come He can forgive a person because “that
person forgave his wife on putting extra salt in curry and did not beat her.”
Another verse is:
“And those who pray, "Our Lord! Grant unto us wives and
offspring who will be a source of comfort/happiness/consolation, and give us
(the grace) to lead the righteous."
(25:74)
Allah mentioned the supplication for good wives and He
completed it with the supplication of righteousness. And righteousness is
giving love to wives not beating or scolding them. Our Prophet (PBUH) described
righteousness through his (PBUH) actions.
“It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (PBUH) said: “The
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: ‘Be kind to women.’”(Narrated by al-Bukhaari,
3153; Muslim, 1468)
“It was narrated that ‘Urwah ibn al-Zubayr said: “ ‘Aa’ishah
said: ‘By Allah, I saw the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) standing at the door of my
apartment when the Abyssinians were playing with their spears in the Mosque of
the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). He covered me with his cloak so that I could
watch their games, then he stood there for my sake until I was the one who had
had enough.’” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 443; Muslim, 892)
This is the righteousness!
My point is, please understand what Allah has given us. The
post under scrutiny does not seem damaging, people may say it was a one
harmless post, or, see the positive message in it and forget the other one. But
no! Problem is that people are liking it or sharing it by thinking that it is
permissible in Islam to hit a wife if she puts extra salt in curry! No it is
not! She is a wife, not a possession. She is the same human as you are in front
of Allah. What differs you two will be the “taqwaa” on the Judgment Day. My
issue is that women are liking it by accepting so easily that it is allowed in
Islam to hit a wife. Please try to stop spreading wrong message in the name of
Islam. And secondly, what is the reference of this story? A conversation with
Allah is mentioned in it, so where is the reference? And how authentic the
reference is, if any? Isn’t it a “bidaah” or perhaps “kufr” to say words on
behalf of THAT ALMIGHTY ONE?!
Also, you might have read this particular ayah of Surah-
AnNissa, a lot.
“Men are the protectors/guardians and maintainers of women,
because Allah has given the one more than the other, and because they support
them from their means. Therefore/so the righteous women are devoutly obedient
(to the husband), and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have
them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct
(nushuz), admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last)
separate from them; but if they obey you, seek not against them Means (of
annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all).”
(4:34).
This ayah summarizes an important lesson, what if a wife
disobeys her husband? It is a great sin and there is a reason why Allah has
made it a sin. As He has made the men protectors of their wives so the wives
have to obey them unless the wives may get into trouble by not obeying or
listening to their husbands. Like if a man asks his wife to not buy a suit
because he has not enough money left, she must obey him. If a man asks his wife
to stop meeting someone because that particular person may be harm to them, she
must obey him, if a man asks his wife to cook for him or clean his clothes she
should, so on and so forth. This is the obedience which our Islam has asked
women to follow. Not that he keeps on scolding you or beating you and you keep
on obeying him. Now see another ayah from the same chapter which perhaps is not
discussed very much:
“And if a woman fears from her husband contempt or evasion,
there is no sin upon them if they make terms of settlement between them - and settlement
is best. And present in [human] souls is stinginess. But if you do good and
fear Allah - then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted.” (4:128)
So Allah gave both husbands and wives equal rights, just the
contexts are different given that these two genders play different roles in
life.
There are so many references from Islam that I can discuss
here, on rights of both husbands and wives, but let us just remain with these
few. Hope this post will make you to think a bit!
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