The Essence of Taqwa

By Umm Salaahudeen

Indeed Allah(swt) has honoured the Muslimah by commanding her to wear the khimar and Jilbaab. This commandment from Allah(swt) is a protection for her and her honour.
As Allah(swt) says:

“O Prophet! Tell your wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft- Forgiving, Most Merciful!. [33:59]

This commandment from Allah(swt) makes it fard for the Muslimah to cover herself properly and not display her beauty to others, other than her mahram(family) and her husband.

She covers herself because she knows that she must conceal the blessings that Allah(swt) has bestowed on her. This covering is an act of worship a way the Muslimah protects herself.

She wears the niqab - even though it is not fard for her to wear, she will do it willingly for the Sake of Allah and she knows it pleases her Lord! She conceals herself like a pearl enclosed in an oyster - this gives her the grace and protection she requires for herself and it makes her happy.

Her presence is soft and graceful, she has tranquility in her heart and is happy with what she has. When she is seen she brings happiness to those whom she loves and those who love her because of her character and how she carries herself.

Her speech is gentle, in which she takes thought in her words and actions. Even when she forgets she is humble and realises her mistakes and knows that she is not perfect but she must still try her best to be a good Muslimah.

"Truly, Allah has vessels from amongst the people of the earth, and the vessels of your Lord are the hearts of his righteous slaves, and the most beloved of them to Him are the softest and most tender ones". [Recorded in Ibn Majah and At Tabarani]

By covering she earns the love and respect of her husband, who admires and loves her for what she does and that he knows without a doubt that she belongs to him and is only his to look at. He is pleased with her character and knows that he can trust her, he values her and appreciates her as his wife, friend and the mother of his children and has for her a special place in his heart that he occupies with her memories and good deeds.

She seeks to please her husband as she knows by pleasing him, she is pleasing Allah(swt). By obeying him she obeys Allah(swt). She is looked and cared for by her husband like a treasured pearl - who is fragile and sensitive, he holds much value for her because he adores her and she helps him in his struggle and dawah.

A true Muslimah always seeks to earn the pleasure of her Lord, this she does by learning, studying, understanding, having a good circle of friends, she recites the Book of Allah(swt) and she implements it in her daily life, she follows the sunnah and hopes for the best reward for her and her husband from Allah(swt).

She will remind her husband if he errors and will share with him his good times and bad. She eases for him his worries by speaking to him and encouraging him to do voluntary acts. They will both wake up for the night prayer and pray together - this they both know will bring them happiness and tranquility in their marriage.

She fears Allah and she does not talk if there is no need. As she knows that the woman is weak in terms of talking, and gossiping so she keeps herself away from such places and people.

She knows that she must seek the pleasure of Allah(swt) and she will do that in the best way she can. She does not hesitate in making decisions when it come to pleasing Allah(swt) as she knows that it will bring sukoon to her heart.
　
　
A Muslimah knows that she must only please Allah(swt) first and no one else.
The Messenger Muhammad(saw) said:

“Whoever seeks the pleasure of Allah at the risk of displeasing the people, Allah will take care of him and protect him from them. But whoever seeks the pleasure of the people at the risk of displeasing Allah, Allah will abandon him to the care of people” [Tirmidhi]

She obeys her husband because Allah asks her to, she makes much effort for her husband in order to please him as she loves him greatly and seeks the blessings in her marriage.

In its 'Ibaadah aspect, marriage is an act pleasing to Allah because it is in accordance with his commandments that husband and wife love each other and help each other to make efforts to continue the human race and rear and nurse their children to become true servants of Allah.

"And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your hearts. Undoubtedly in these are signs for those who reflect."
[30:21]

The Muslimah is the pillar for her Believing husband, she helps him with his work and wishes for him to succeed in the Dunya and Akhirah. She supports him through all the difficulties, the hard times and the times of ease. She reminds him of the Messenger Muhammad(saw) and the companions(ra) their struggle and hardship. She reminds him of the reward that awaits for him and the words of Allah(swt):

“So verily, with every hardship there is relief, Verily, with the hardship there is relief. So when you have finished, then stand up for Allah's worship. And to your Lord turn your invocations“. [94:5-8]

- for the difficulties that he is going through for the sake of Allah(swt) and prays for the best reward from their Lord! Her aim is to attain Paradise for her and her husband so that they can be together in the hereafter too.

Therefore she is indeed a treasured pearl, most deserved to be looked after and given that special security too. She is the pearl and comfort of her family, her husbands eyes and his heart.

Most Importantly that she fears Allah(swt) and therefore she is The Essence of Taqwa.