He would then say, “O Allah, this is my share in what I am able to control, so do not hold me to account for what You control and I do not,” alluding to affection and whatever stems from it.
2 – Dividing time and maintenance equally among two or more wives is obligatory for a husband, and it is unlawful for him to favor one over another in matters that lie within his power—such as financial support, overnight stays, courteous treatment, and the like.
3 – A husband is not accountable for apportioning what he cannot control: the inclinations of the heart—love and emotional leaning—and the attendant desire to be intimate with one wife rather than another. These matters are beyond human capacity: “Allah burdens no soul beyond its capacity,” and He says, “So do not incline completely to one side” (Al-Nisaʾ 4:129), which shows that a limited, involuntary leaning is excused. Allah also says, “Know that Allah intervenes between a person and his heart” (Al-Anfal 8:24), and, “If you were to spend everything on earth you could not unite their hearts, but Allah united them” (Al-Anfal 8:63).
4 – Justice is required of a person in everything under his authority—wives, children, relatives, neighbors, and others—for it gathers hearts in love for him, purifies souls in their affection toward him, and removes suspicion of bias and partiality.
5 – Hadith (918) affirms the punishment of the Hereafter, a truth known in the religion by unquestionable necessity.
6 – The hadith magnifies people’s rights and makes clear that they are not easily waived, for those rights are rooted in human covetousness and the demand for full recompense.
7 – It also teaches that a person should seek pardon from those around him—wives, relatives, friends, and neighbors—lest he have fallen short in fulfilling any of their rights and the liability pursue him after death.
8 – Hadith (917) shows that hearts are in Allah’s hand, as He, Exalted is He, says, “Thus Allah leads astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills” (Al-Muddaththir 74:31); therefore a person must