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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Imam Al-Ghazali: A Righteous Wife is a Means to Attain Hereafter's Happiness

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Imam Al-Ghazali, in his work 'Ihya Ulumuddin,' emphasizes the profound importance of a righteous wife in Islam as a means to achieve happiness in the hereafter.
  • A righteous wife is described as one who manages her household diligently and helps her husband draw closer to Allah SWT.
  • The article cites various Islamic scholars and hadith to support the view that a righteous spouse is one of Allah's greatest gifts, contributing to both worldly contentment and eternal bliss.

In Islam, marriage is viewed not only as a foundation for a harmonious family but also as a path to spiritual closeness with Allah SWT. Imam Al-Ghazali, a renowned scholar, highlighted in his seminal work 'Ihya Ulumuddin' that one of the greatest blessings in marriage is having a righteous wife who aids her husband in pursuing eternal happiness.

A righteous wife is a means to achieve happiness in the hereafter.

— Imam Al-GhazaliImam Al-Ghazali's view on the role of a righteous wife in achieving eternal happiness, as explained in 'Ihya Ulumuddin'.

According to Al-Ghazali, a righteous wife serves as a crucial conduit for achieving akhirat (the hereafter). She actively assists her husband in drawing nearer to Allah SWT. He outlines five key benefits of marriage: the hope of having righteous offspring, channeling desires into permissible avenues, fostering inner peace and tranquility in family life, enhancing devotion and worship to Allah SWT, and earning rewards for fulfilling the obligation of providing for the family.

A righteous wife is not only capable but also enters into three worldly pleasures. A righteous wife is also one of the means to the interests of the hereafter. A righteous wife will help her husband in drawing closer to Allah SWT.

— Abu Sulaiman al-DaraniAbu Sulaiman al-Darani's description of the qualities and benefits of a righteous wife.

The text further elaborates on the fourth benefit, emphasizing the joy and pleasure derived from drawing closer to Allah. A righteous wife contributes to this by meticulously managing her household, thereby supporting her husband's spiritual journey. Abu Sulaiman al-Darani is quoted saying that a righteous wife is not only capable but also brings worldly joys, while also being a primary means to achieving the afterlife.

You should be grateful to Allah SWT, remember Him, and marry a righteous wife (righteous husband, translator) who can help you towards the good of the hereafter.

— Prophet Muhammad SAWA hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad SAW advising on gratitude and the importance of a righteous spouse.

Supporting this perspective, the article references prophetic traditions. Prophet Muhammad SAW is reported to have said that having a righteous wife is a blessing that aids in attaining the abode of the hereafter. Umar bin Khattab is also cited, stating that there is no greater gift from Allah to a believing servant than a righteous spouse, and no wealth can compare to such a partner. The Prophet Muhammad SAW is further quoted highlighting that while some wives may lead their husbands astray, his own wife supported him in obedience to Allah, and his own 'setan' (inner temptations) were subdued, guiding him only towards good.

There is no gift from Allah SWT to His servant that is better than a righteous wife or spouse. There is no wealth comparable to a righteous wife bestowed by Allah SWT upon a believing man.

— Umar bin KhattabUmar bin Khattab's statement on the immense value of a righteous wife.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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