VIRTUES OF THE RIGHTEOUS

CHAPTER 37

POSITIVE OPINION ABOUT ALMIGHTY ALLAH

Know, Muslims, that a positive opinion of Almighty Allah is a fundamental element of opinions of previous and subsequent generations of people. Almighty Allah says in a holy hadith (meaning), “I am as My servant thinks of Me. So may he have a good opinion of Me.” In another tradition it is said, “So let a servant think of Me as he wishes.” Judicious is one who improves his opinion of his Lord in every inhalation and exhalation of his breathing.

If you think that Allah will not ruin you in this life and will not entrust you to yourself even for the blink of an eye, then the Creator will do just that. If you think that the Almighty will redress that which you violated of the rights of other people and will not punish you for this, then this He will also do. If you think that the Almighty will cause you to die in monotheism, the Lord will grant you this. If you think that Allah will save you from the horrors of the Day of Judgment, the Creator will do just that. If you think that the Creator will not hold you accountable] and ask about anything, then He will do this. If you think that the Almighty will strengthen your feet on the bridge of Sirat, then He will do this. If you think that the Creator will enter you into Paradise, He will grant you this as well.

CHAPTER 38

PATIENCE WITH A WIFE’S HARM

Know, O Muslims, that the habit of the righteous is to be patient with their families and be tolerating of harm from them. Many stories have been conveyed about this including the one about Sheikh Ahmad Ar-Rifai who had an ill-tempered wife who harmed him with her tongue. Someone dreamt that the sheikh possessed a degree that pleased Allah. Once this person entered the scholar’s house and saw that the sheikh’s wife was beating him with a poker on the shoulders and his clothes had turned black. The sheikh, however, remained silent. Most perturbed, the man left the sheikh’s house. He then met with the sheikh’s muridin and asked, “O people, how can you remain silent, while this woman does so much harm to our sheikh?” One of the muridin said, "The price of the mahr (wedding present) of this woman is five hundred gold coins and the sheikh is a poor man." The man then gathered five hundred dinars, carried them to the sheikh on a tray and laid them in front of him. The sheikh asked, "What is this?" He replied, "This is the dowry of this wretch who did such-and-such to you." Then the sheikh smiled and said, “If I had not had the patience to tolerate her beatings and tongue, you would not have seen me in an exalted state.”

When one of the righteous wanted to divorce his wife, they asked him, "What harm did she do you?" He replied, "An intelligent man does not expose his wife." And when after the divorce he was asked, “Why did you divorce her?” He replied, "What business is it of mine to talk about a woman who has become a stranger to me."

Therefore, I will to you, O my children, that you be good to your wives. Show the best of morals towards them, be gentle and live in joy and contentment. People criticise the likes of us (muridin) for even the slightest omission. They consider our most insignificant flaws and deeds to be considerable. Be extremely careful and cautious about what people may reproach us for, be it words or deeds. Be contented, pleasant, friendly and comforting with your spouses. May Allah make the outcome of your life together blessed!

Know that, if we often quarrel with our wives, while expressing ourselves poorly at the same time, then, undoubtedly, they will respect and honour us less. In most cases, they do not have sufficient time to tend to us because they are busy with household chores. Therefore, show patience and tolerance and forgive them. Counsel and instruct them gently and with compassion, without being coarse. What they do is enough for us.

And praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

The writing of this book was completed in Muharram of 1436 hijra. May the blessings and peace of Allah be upon our master Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, his family and his companions!

VIRTUES OF THE RIGHTEOUS