Monday, April 1, 2024

How does a good husband respond when his wife is upset?

When the Storm Clouds Gather: A Husband's Guide to Navigating a Wife's Upset



Marriage, a beautiful tapestry woven with love, respect, and understanding, will inevitably face moments of disagreement and frustration. In these times, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) serves as the ultimate role model for husbands, demonstrating exemplary conduct in navigating a wife's upset.


Patience: A Pillar of Strength [صبرٌ جَمِيلٌ – Sabrun Jameel]


The Quran emphasizes patience (صبرٌ) as a cornerstone of a successful marriage. Allah (SWT) says:


وَٱصْبِرُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ ٤٦


Waṣbiruu inna Allaha ma'a Aṣ-Ṣaabireen


And be patient, indeed, Allah is with the patient. (Quran 8:46)


Al-Bukhaari (1496) and Muslim (1053) narrated that Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) said:


The Messenger of Allah ﷺ (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:


“…whoever is patient Allah will bestow patience upon him, and no one is ever given anything better and more generous than patience.”


Whoever is enjoined to do something good must accept the advice, even if he does not know the one who is giving it. This is an understanding from the hadīth of the woman the Prophet ﷺ passed by while she was weeping at a grave [al-Bukhaari (1283) and Muslim (926)].


Kind Words: Soothing the Soul [كَلِمَةٌ طَيِّبَةٌ – Kalimah Tayyibah]


The Prophet (ﷺ) instructed his companions on using kind words, even in moments of disagreement. A Hadith narrated by Inn Majah teaches:


خَيْرُكُمْ خَيْرُكُمْ لأَهْلِهِ وَأَنَا خَيْرُكُمْ لأَهْلِي.‏



"The best of you is the one who is best to his wife, and I am the best of you to my wives." (Sunan Ibn Majah 1977)


Using gentle and understanding language can significantly de-escalate a tense situation. Opt for "I statements" that focus on your feelings and avoid placing blame. Phrases like "I feel hurt when..." or "Can you help me understand why you're upset?" can open doors to constructive dialogue.


Active Listening: Understanding Her Perspective [فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُنَّ – Fastami'u Lahunna]


The Quran reminds us of the importance of listening attentively:


﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَجِيبُوا لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ ۖ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَحُولُ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَقَلْبِهِ وَأَنَّهُ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ﴾

[ الأنفال: 24]


English - Sahih International


8:24 O you who have believed, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life. And know that Allah intervenes between a man and his heart and that to Him you will be gathered.




Actively listen to your wife's concerns, giving her your full attention. Avoid interrupting or dismissing her feelings. Try to understand her perspective and validate her emotions.


Seeking Forgiveness: Acknowledging Mistakes [اسْتَغْفِرُوا اللَّهَ – Istaghfiru Allah]


Sometimes, a husband's actions or words might contribute to his wife's upset. The Prophet (ﷺ) himself sought forgiveness readily, as mentioned in a Hadīth narrated by Muslim:


Al-Agharr Al-Muzani (May Allah be pleased with him) said:


The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Sometimes I perceive a veil over my heart, and I supplicate Allah for forgiveness a hundred times in a day."


[Muslim].


وعن الأغر المزني رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏إنه ليغان على قلبي، وإني لأستغفر الله في اليوم مائة مرة‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

(Riyad as-Salihin 1869: Book 19, Hadith 1)


If you recognize a mistake, don't hesitate to apologize sincerely. A genuine apology demonstrates respect and strengthens the marital bond.


Remember:


These are just a few guiding principles based on Islamic teachings. Every situation is unique, and open communication is crucial. By incorporating these practices, a husband can navigate his wife's upset with empathy, understanding, and ultimately, strengthen the foundation of his marriage.


#IslamicMarriage #HusbandlyAdvice #ProphetMuhammad #MarriageTips #MuslimRelationships


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How does a good husband respond when his wife is upset?

When the Storm Clouds Gather: A Husband's Guide to Navigating a Wife's Upset Marriage, a beautiful tapestry woven with love, respect...