Consequently.hehastocopewithbothsidesandkeepthemsatisfied
which,itself,isa difficulttask.The onlypossibleway toease the situ-
ationisthatthewomanshouldbeloyalandwise.Amaninthissituation
expects his wife to help solve the problem. If the wife respects her
mother-in-law. seeks advice from her, and becomes obedient and
friendly with her then the mother-in-law will be her greatest supporter.
Isitnot sadthat onewho canattractmany peoplethroughkindness
and good manners, should repulse them through stubbornness and
selfishness? Do younot realise that in the ups anddowns of life, one
might need the help of others. and especially of relativeswho would
supportyouwheneveryoneelsedesertsyou?Isitnotbettertoenjoya
goodrelationship with one's relatives throughconsideration and good
behaviour? Is it really wise and fair to become friends with strangers
while breaking away from your own relations?
Experience shows that when one needs the help of others, friends
leavebuttheabandonedrelativescometohelp.Thisisbecausethefam-
ilytiesarenaturalandcannotbe brokeneasily. Thereisageneralpro-
verbwhichsays:"Evenifone'sfleshiseatenbyrelationstheywouldnot
throw away the bones!"
Imam Ali(AS)stated:'Oneis neverableto dowithout hisrelatives,
even though he may possess wealth and children'.''
Onewouldneedtherespectandkindnessofone'srelatives.Itisthey
whowouldsupportonephysicallyandmentally.Relativesalwayscome
totherescue.Intimesofneedtheycouldcometoone'sassistancefaster
than others. Whoever disowns his relatives will lose many helping
hands.
DearMadam!forthe sakeof yourhusband andforthe sake ofyour
owncomfortaswellastofind manygoodfriendsandsupporters,put
upwithyourhusband'srelatives.Donotbeselfishandignorant;bewise
anddonotcauseyourhusbandanydistress.Beagoodanddevotedwife
in order to be accepted by both Allah and the people.