The man beautifying himself for his wife 

Allaah says: 

 “And the women have the same rights as those that are over them from what is reasonable.”  [Sooratul-Baqarah 2: 228] 

Al-Haafidh Ibn Katheer in his explanation of this verse said: “It means that they have rights over the men similar to the rights that the men have over them. So giving each other their mutual rights is obligatory from what is reasonable… Wakee’ said on the authority Basheer ibn Sulaymaan, on the authority of ‘Ikramah, on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas who said:

“Verily I love to beautify myself for women just as I love women to beautify themselves for me because Allaah says:  

"And the women have the same rights as those that are over them from what is reasonable." [Sooratul-Baqarah 2: 228] 

If a man beautifies himself, it helps the woman in lowering her gaze and it helps to bring the hearts close together. Some men go to their wives and they are unkempt, dirty, and foul smelling. He bathes and perfumes himself to go out with his friends, but when he returns he is as I mentioned earlier which causes dislike in the heart and disgust in the soul. Just as you ask your wife, when she is in front of you, to be beautiful looking and pleasant smelling, she also asks this of you. She has feelings just as you do, and she has senses just as you do. Men, fear Allaah in yourselves and in your women.”

Helping her with housework

‘Aa’ishah (radiyallaahu anhaa) was asked, “What does the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) do with his family?” She said: “He was busy with his family until it was time to pray and then he prayed.” 1

On the authority of al-Qaasim, on the authority of ‘Aa’ishah (radiyallaahu 'anhaa) that he asked, “What did he Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) do in his house?” She said: “He was a man among men, he cleaned his garment, he milked his sheep and he served himself”. 2

On the authority of ‘Urwah ibn az-Zubayr, on the authority of ‘Aa’ishah (radiyallaahu 'anhaa) that he asked, “What did the Messenger of Allaah  (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) do in his house?” She said: “He mended his garment, patched his shoes and he did in his house what men do in their houses.” 3

The female student of Islaamic knowledge especially needs her husband’s help in raising the children and caring for them, in order for her to study from the Qur’aan and Sunnah what is needed for her to practice her religion and assist her in bringing up her children in a proper and sound way. We ask Allaah to guide our men.

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