merely by reciting a supplication called qunūt, but through constant, uninterrupted obedience. Allah the Exalted says, “And stand before Allah in devout obedience” (Qurʾan 2:238)—that is, persevere in obeying Him. Likewise, “devoutly obedient, guarding in the husband’s absence what Allah would have them guard” (4:34) means that they protect their husband’s secrets, his reputation in his absence, and all the private matters that take place within the walls of the home. They safeguard him in the manner Allah has commanded. Such a woman is the righteous one; seek therefore a righteous wife, for she is better for you than a beautiful woman who is not righteous.

The author—may Allah have mercy on him—then relates the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “If a man calls his wife to his bed and she refuses, the angels curse her until morning.”

The angels’ curse means that they pray for this woman to be expelled and driven from the mercy of Allah, for a curse (laʿnah) is expulsion from divine mercy. Thus, when he summons her to his bed to enjoy the intimacy Allah has permitted and she declines to come, the angels—may Allah protect us—continue to invoke that curse against her until dawn.

Another wording says: “If she abandons her husband’s bed, Allah the Exalted is angry with her until the husband is pleased with her.” This is more severe than the first narration, for when Allah—glorified and exalted—is displeased, His wrath is weightier than any created being’s curse. We ask Allah for well-being.

The proof is found in the verses concerning liʿān: when the man pronounces the imprecation he says, “May the curse of Allah be upon me if I am among the liars” (Qurʾan 24:7), whereas when the woman responds she says, “May the wrath of Allah be upon me if he is telling the truth” (24:9).

This demonstrates that divine wrath is indeed more severe than a curse—and so it is.