In a lengthy Hadith Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) described a scene in the Divine Court on the Day of Qiyaamah. A woman who will be ushered into the Divine Presence, will be asked about her neglect of Salaat (and also about her other violations of the Shariah). This woman will say in her defence that her obligations to her husband and children, and her household duties did no permit her the time to regularly perform Salaat. She will also present the excuse of her husband’s foul temper which had instilled fear in her. She was therefore constrained to be at his beck and call, hence she was unable to fulfil her Deeni obligations. Allah Ta’ala will then command that Hadhrat Aasiyyah (rahmatullah alayha) be ushered into His Presence. It will then be said to the woman. “Was your husband a greater oppressor and worse than her husband, Fir’oun?” The woman will reply: “O Allah! No one was a greater oppressor and more evil than Fir’oun.” It will then be said to this woman: “Despite Aasiyyah having been the wife of such a cruel and evil tyrant, she was never neglectful of her ibaadat nor forgetful for a moment of Allah’s remembrance. If the oppression of any husband could have prevented any wife from Salaat and her Deeni obligations, then most certainly, Aasiyyah would have been prevented. O woman! The excuse of your husband is baseless. You, of your own accord was neglectful of the Deen. You did not fear My punishment, hence you disobeyed My commands, and rebelled against the teachings of My Rasool. Today you shall taste of My chastisement.” Allah, Rabbul Aalameen will then command the Angels to cast her into Jahannum. May Allah Ta’ala save us from such disaster. Wives should understand that the first allegiance of every Muslim is to Allah Ta’ala, not to the husband. Furthermore, in almost all cases, the excuse of the husband is a smokescreen presented to deceive others and to perpetrate self-deception. Obedience to the husband in any act which results in disobedience to Allah Ta’ala is haraam. While the wife is required to fulfil her obligations to her husband, it is strictly prohibited for her to present the excuse of her husband’s orders and wishes to justify her commission of haraam. In fact, if her husband intransigently requires her to disobey Allah Ta’ala, she should opt for separation, leave the marital home and take refuge in the home of her parents. On the Day of Qiyaamah, the lame excuses tendered in selfdefence and in justification of sins will not avail.

AWAKE: RAMADHAAN / SEPTEMBER 1429 / 2008