On seeing the zeal of the Prophet (S)...

On seeing the zeal of the Prophet (S), the mother of Saad cried, “Congratulations, O my son on gaining paradise.” On hearing this, the Messenger of Islam (S) retorted, “Wait, do not make haste in divine affairs.

Your son is in great agony and anguish at the moment.” When the people inquired about the reason for this condition he (S), replied, “He behaved very badly with his family members.” [^6] Rights of the Wife According to Imam Sajjad (A.S.) “It is the right of your wife that you should know that Allah has made her for you a tranquility and comfort (in worry), and a friend and shield (against sins).

And likewise, it is incumbent upon both of you to thank Allah for your partner and to know that (the spouse) is a grace of Allah upon you. And it is obligatory to have good fellowship with this grace of Allah (i.e. wife), and to respect her and be kind to her, although your rights upon her are greater and her obedience to you is final in all your likes and dislikes so long as it is not a sin. So she has the right of love and fellowship, and a place of repose (i.e.

house) so that natural desires may be fulfilled, and this in itself is a great duty. And there is no strength but by Allah.” [^7] Husband’s Rights Over his Wife The rights of a husband over his wife are numerous. The most important among them is related to having physical relationship with her. The duty of a wife is to submit herself physically before her husband. This right of the husband i.e.

of having a physical relationship with his wife, as and when he wants, is obviously a reciprocation of her feelings. In absence of her husband the duties of the wife include the protection of his rights, status, wealth and respect. She must not spend his wealth without his permission nor must she reveal his secrets. Rather she should be his closest confidante. She must not let anybody inside the house without his permission in his absence.

For, doing so would lead to a lot of misunderstandings which would have drastic repercussions on the sacred contract of marriage. She must value his ideas, plans and provisions that he has prepared for her and other family members and obey him under all circumstances. She must not disobey him come what may nor must she do any such thing which detracts him.