People exist for people—Bedouin and townsman alike; each one, whether he realizes it or not, is a servant to the other. Even the wealthy merchant who owns billions serves the poor. How so? He brings in food, drink, clothing, building materials, and the like; he delivers them to the poor, who benefit from them. Thus all people need one another and serve one another; that is a wisdom decreed by Allah.

Fourth: This hadith also demonstrates the merit of anyone who treats his daughters kindly—providing them with money, clothing, cheerful words, and attentiveness to their needs, for they are weak and dependent.

Fifth: It likewise confirms what we mentioned at the outset: those charged with earning and spending are men, whereas women are for the home and its affairs, as well as duties that only women can perform, such as teaching in girls’ schools.

As for appointing them as employees alongside men in a single office, or as secretaries—as is the case in many Muslim countries—this is undoubtedly a grave mistake and a great evil. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The best rows for men are the front ones and the worst are the back ones, and the best rows for women are the back ones and the worst are the front ones,” because the front rows are close to the men and are therefore worse, whereas the back rows are farther from the men and are therefore better. So consider this well.