Chapter 42

The Guardian of the Family

Manandwomanarethetwobasicpillarsofafamily,butsincemenare
endowed with special qualities by the order of creation, and because
theirpoweroflogicisstrongerthanwomen's,theyareregardedasthe
guardians of their families.

TheAlmightyAllahregardsmenastheguardiansoftheirfamiliesand
statesin theHolyQur'anthat:"Menare themaintainersofwomen,be-
cause Allah has made some of them to excel others... (4:34)."

Therefore,menhaveagreaterandmoredifficultresponsibilityinsup-
portingtheirfamilies.Itisthemanwho can,throughhiswisdom,sup-
porthisfamilyandpreparethegroundsfortheirhappinessanditishe
who can turn the house into a paradise and his wife to act as an angel.

"TheProphet (SA)ofAllah stated:'Manisthe guardianofhisfamily
and every guardian has responsibilities towards those under his
guardianship'."'

Aman,who issupporting hisfamily, shouldknowthat awomanis
alsoa human being likea man. She alsohas desires andthe rights of
freedomandlife.Marryingawomanisnothiringaservant,butitisase-
lectionofapartnerandafriendwhowouldbeabletolivewithforthe
restofone'slife.Manhastocareforherandherdesires.Manisnotthe
owner of his wife and in fact a woman has certain rights upon her
husband.

AllahstatesintheHolyQur'an:...Andwomenhaverightssimilarto
the rightsof menin ajustmanner, andthe menhavea degree(ofad-
vantage) over them.., (2:228)."