We will presently relate the stories of two wives of Hazrat Isma’eel s.a.v, the son of Hazrat Ibraheem s.a.v.These two incidents make it clear that a grateful wife and an ungrateful wife cannot be compared. Whereas the first wife complained about poverty instead of being grateful for her lot, the second wife expressed thanks to Allah despite their poverty. As a result of her attitude, Hazrat Ibraheem s.a.v. made Du’a to Allah to grant the couple blessings in their food and drink. As a result of this Du’a, the couple and their progeny (the Arabs) have enjoyed tremendous blessings. Gratitude therefore brought great blessings while ingratitude caused the first wife to lose her status as the wife of a Nabi s.a.v. This makes it clear that ingratitude was never tolerated in the pure homes of the Ambiayaa a.s.
After Hazrat Isma’eel s.a.v. got married, his father Hazrat Ibraheem s.a.v. came to Makkah to visit him. Not finding his son at home, Hazrat Ibraheem s.a.v. asked his daughter-in-law where her husband was. Unable to recognize Hazrat Ibraheem s.a.v, she said that her husband Hazrat Isma’eel s.a.v. was out hunting. Hazrat Ibraheem s.a.v. then asked her about their conditions. She complained to him that they were very poor and were experiencing great difficulty. After hearing her complaints, Hazrat Ibraheem s.a.v. told her to convey his regards to Hazrat Isma’eel s.a.v. and to tell him to change the threshold of his door.
When Hazrat Isma’eel s.a.v. returned, he asked his wife whether anyone had visited that day. She described Hazrat Ibraheem s.a.v, saying that he had come to look for Hazrat Isma’eel s.a.v. She also told him that the old man had asked about their condition, to which she replied that they were experiencing great difficulty. When Hazrat Isma’eel s.a.v. asked her if the man had left a message, she replied that he had instructed her to convey his regards to Hazrat Isma’eel s.a.v. and to tell him that he should change the threshold of his door. Hazrat Isma’eel s.a.v. then told his wife that the man was his father Hazrat Ibraheem s.a.v. and that the instruction meant that he should divorce her. The couple were subsequently divorced.
The Story of Hazrat Isma’eel s.a.v.’s Second Wife
Hazrat Isma’eel s.a.v. later married another woman. When Hazrat Ibraheem s.a.v. visited the home after a long time, his son was out hunting again. Hazrat Ibraheem s.a.v. also asked this wife about their conditions, to which she said that they were happy. When she offered him some food, he declined and asked her what they usually ate and drank. When she told him that they ate meat and drank water, he made Du’a to Allah to bless their food and drink. Relating the story to the Sahabah r.a, Rasulullah s.a.v. said that the blessing in food they saw was the result of this Du’a of Hazrat Ibraheem s.a.v. Hazrat Ibraheem s.a.v. then told his daughter-in-law to convey his regards to her husband and tell him that he should keep the threshold of his door firmly in place.
When Hazrat Isma’eel s.a.v. returned, he asked his wife whether someone had visited them that day. She told him that an extremely kind and handsome old man had visited and enquired about heir condition. She raised Hazrat Ibraheem s.a.v. and told her husband what reply she gave. When Hazrat Isma’eel s.a.v. asked her what message the man left, she told him that the man had left his regards and instructed that he should keep the threshold of his door firmly in place. Hazrat Isma’eel s.a.v. told her that the man was his father and that she was being referred to as the threshold. His father had instructed him to keep her in his marriage.
Although the second wife had meat only occasionally, she mentioned Allah’s bounties to Hazrat Ibraheem s.a.v. without speaking about he many difficulties that came with it. Such an attitude was greatly appreciated by both husband and father-in-law. When a wife praises her parent-in-law as Hazrat Isma’ee s.a.v.’s wife did, the husband is instantly impressed, his confidence in her is strengthened and he regards her as his own. If women could only understand this! When a daughter-in-law speaks only good if her in-laws, they will be very happy with her and even make Du’a for her and for her parents because they ad raised her properly. They will feel that she has honoured them and is loyal to them. May Allah cast the shadow of Hazrat Isma’eel s.a.v.’s grateful wife on the wives of the Ummah and grant them her excellent character. Aameen.
Every wife should therefore make an effort to express gratitude to Allah in very situation, favourable or not. One should constantly say, “Alhamdulillahi ala Kulli Haal” (I praise Allah in every condition).
Rasulullah s.a.v. has mentioned that whoever does not thank people has not thanked Allah. One should therefore thank every person for the dood they do to one. The best method of thanking people is to tel them: “Jazzakalllahu Khayran” (May Allah grant you the best reward”. Mothers should also teach their children to say “Jazzakallahu Khayran” whenever they are given something. Parents should also thanks their children in this manner whenever their children so something for them.
"A gift for Muslim Bride"
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