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Know that a woman’s piety and modesty are a blessing from Allah Most High to His servants, and it is virtually impossible for anyone with evil intent to gain power over a chaste woman, as the following account shows.

Story: It is related that a dissolute man tried to overpower a virtuous woman. He said to her, “Go and lock every door of the house and make sure they are firmly barred.” She went off and then returned, saying, “I have locked all the doors and secured them—except for one.” He asked, “Which door is that?” She replied, “I have shut all the doors that stand between us and other people, but the door that stands between me and the Creator—exalted is His Majesty—remains open. I have neither the power nor the ability to close it.” Her words filled the man’s heart with awe; he repented sincerely to Allah, abandoned his sin, and returned to the obedience of his Most High Lord.

A similar story: It is said that an ʿAlawī man in Samarqand was once standing at the door of his house when a woman of striking beauty passed by. The alley was empty, so he seized her arm, drew her inside, and was about to commit indecency with her. She said, “I want to ask you a question; answer it, and then do as you wish.” He replied, “Ask whatever you like.” She said, “If you lie with me unlawfully and I become pregnant and give birth, will the child be counted among the ʿAlawīs or be a base commoner?” He answered, “He would be an ʿAlawī.” The woman responded, “Then it is clear that you are one of the ignoble among the ʿAlawīs, for had you been noble you would never act in this way.” The ʿAlawī was instantly ashamed, released her hand, and vowed to Allah that he would never again cast a lustful glance at a woman forbidden to him.

And a man ought to be protective and possess a jealous zeal for his womenfolk and household, for