Manners of Muslim Women

There are several Islamic manners and types of good conduct that the Muslim wife is obliged to observe and practice, so that her marriage is built on strong foundations, and so that she becomes a good example for other Muslim women. These manners are among the righteous Islamic laws that are required from Muslim women and which will ensure a happy marriage if they implement and preserve them, Allah willing.

These manners include staying at home and avoiding going out without the husband’s consent, {And stay quietly in your houses.} [33:33]. The wife is also obliged to protect her and her husband’s honor, {Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient (to Allah and to their husbands), and guard in the husband’s absence what Allah orders them to guard (e.g. their chastity, their husband’s property, etc.).} [4:34]. Hence, the righteous woman protects her honor and her husband’s possessions when he is not present. She also seeks to please him and bring happiness to his heart when he is at home. The Messenger of Allah, Salla Allahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, said, “Should I tell you about your women from among the residents of Paradise: Al-Walood (who bears several children), Al-Wadood (who is kind and forbearing with her husband), who keeps tending to her husband’s needs, and who when he gets angry with her, she says, ‘By Allah! I will not taste sleep until you are pleased (with me).’” [Ad-Daraqutni].

Furthermore, when the Muslim wife departs her house for a need, she stays away from crowded places and does not seek her husband’s friends for her needs. Rather, she acts as if she was a stranger, so as not to create a familiarity with her husband’s friends.

The Muslim wife also takes care of her home, and when a friend of her husband’s comes to visit while her husband is not at home, she informs his friend of this fact in brief sentences, so that he comes back when her husband is home. All these examples of good conduct are but ways and means to protect the honor of Muslims and to bring about happiness in their married lives.

The Muslim wife accepts what Allah has given her of sustenance and always seeks to fulfill her husband’s rights on her before seeking her own rights.

Also, the Muslim wife accepts what Allah has given her of sustenance and always seeks to fulfill her husband’s rights on her before seeking her own rights.

In addition, the Muslim wife neither curses her children nor treats them harshly. She also does not keep reminding her husband of her important social status and of her beauty. She imitates the best woman of all time, the wives of the Prophet, Salla Allahu Alayhi Wasallam, and the wives of the companions, may Allah be pleased with them all.

In summary, we advise all Muslim women with these words of wisdom that an Arab woman once gave to her daughter upon her marriage. She said, “Be satisfied with what Allah gives you, and treat your husband with kindness. Make your house and yourself smell good, so that your husband does not hear, smell or see except what is good and pleasant. Know when he is hungry, and serve him some food, so that his hunger does not make him angry or frustrated. Try your best to keep the house quiet when your husband sleeps. Also, raise his children righteously. Never tell your husband’s secrets to anyone, for this will make him distrust you. Do not disobey him, for this will only make him angry. In addition, when your husband is upset or sad, do not show pleasure, and when he is happy, do not show sadness and displeasure. Furthermore, be as obedient with him as you can, and he will be as soft and kind with you as he can.”