The Reward for Good Husbands & Fathers
Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an:
“And live with [them] in a beautiful manner. If you are then displeased with them, [then know] perhaps you dislike something which Allah has created abundant goodness in it (al-Qur’an 4:19 ).
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:
The believer with the most perfect faith is the one who has best character and the one who is kindest to his wife (Sahih Muslim).
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:
The believer should not harbor hatred towards his wife. If he dislikes something in her, then surely he will be pleased with another quality in her (Sahih Muslim).
Shaykh Asharaf Ali Thanwi said, commenting on the above verse:
“Brothers! when Allah has ordained these rights for women, then who can
change them.
If a man fails to fulfill these rights, he will be guilty of not upholding the rights of the creation. Man should ponder over how Allah has interceded on behalf of women in the above verse.
While there may be many reasons for being displeased with one’s wife, the main reason is usually bad character—this becomes a source of grief for the husband.
Nevertheless, Allah has promised that even this bad character can become a means of attaining goodness—for He is All-wise and capable of doing anything. For example, she could bear you children who become the means of your salvation come qiyamah. Just ponder over how clearly the rights of women are emphasized in the above Qur’anic verse.”
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:
The best of you is the one best to his wife. I am the best among you to his wife (Tirmidhi, Darimi).
‘A’isha (Allah be pleased with her) relates that a desert Arab came to the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) and remarked:
“Do you kiss your children, for we do not?” The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) replied, “What can I do if Allah has taken mercy out of your heart?” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Anas (Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:
“Whoever brings up and nurtures two young girls until they reach maturity will appear on the Day of Judgment in a state that he and I will be like this (and he joined his fingers together).” [(Sahih Muslim)]
It is easy to gauge from here how Islam has granted so many incentives upon actions necessary for the upkeep of society.
