who said to her, “Go to your father and ask him to buy you a servant.”
So she went to the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and said, “O Messenger of Allah, I am in need of a maid who can help me with my work and lift some of the burdens from me.”
He answered, “Shall I not teach you something better for you than a servant and more precious than the seven heavens and the seven earths?”
She replied, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah, teach me.”
He said, “When you lie down to sleep, say three times: subḥān Allāh (Glory be to Allah), al-ḥamdu lillāh (All praise is due to Allah), lā ilāha illā Allāh (There is no deity but Allah), and Allāhu akbar (Allah is the Greatest).”
The reports state that they owned nothing in their house except a single cloak; whenever they covered their heads with it, their feet were left uncovered. On the night Fāṭima was a bride and was escorted to ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib—may Allah honor his face—she had only a sheepskin beneath her on which they both slept, and Fāṭima’s entire household furnishing amounted to no more than that cloak and a leather cushion stuffed with palm fibre. No wonder, then, that on the Day of Resurrection a herald will call out on her behalf: “People of the Gathering, lower your gaze until the Lady of Women, Fāṭima al-Zahrāʾ, passes.”
A woman wins honour with her husband and his love for her grows in his heart by respecting him, obeying him in private moments and in marital intimacy, safeguarding his interests, avoiding what harms him, nurturing his children, keeping to his home, going out rarely from her chamber, guarding his secrets, bearing with his decisions, observing his mealtimes, and whenever she knows he desires something, preparing it for him with a cheerful face and pleasant manner. She should not burden him with heavy demands, should not be obstinate, should cover herself when she sleeps, and must safeguard her husband’s secrets whether he is present or absent.
The author says: It is likewise obligatory upon men to fulfil women’s rights, to protect their honour, and to treat them with kinship, kindness, and courtesy. Whoever wishes to be compassionate toward his wife and merciful with her should recall ten aspects of her situation so that he may deal with her justly.
First, a woman cannot divorce him without his permission, whereas he can do so whenever he wishes.
Second, she may not take anything without his consent, whereas he can do so.
Third, as long as she remains his wife she may not marry anyone else, whereas he is able to marry other wives.
Fourth, she is not permitted to leave the house without his permission, whereas he may go out as he pleases.
Fifth, she is not allowed to attend gatherings of condolence without his leave, whereas he can do so.
Sixth, she fears him, while he does not fear her.