The sanctity of the wives of the Mujāhids for those who stay behind is like the sanctity of their own mothers

The sanctity of the wives of the Mujāhids for those who stay behind is like the sanctity of their own mothers

Buraydah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The sanctity of the wives of the Mujāhids for those who stay behind is like the sanctity of their own mothers. Any man, of those who stay behind, who looks after the family of a Mujāhid and betrays his trust will be made to stand on the Day of Judgment before the Mujāhid who will take away from his good deeds as much as he likes until he is satisfied." Then, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) turned to us and asked: "So what do you think (will he leave anything)?”

[Authentic hadith] [Narrated by Muslim]

Explanation

The basic principle is that a woman is unlawful to her non-Mahram males, and the unlawfulness is emphasized regarding the wives of those who have set out to fight for the sake of Allah and left their wives behind, and entrusted them to the men who did not go out for Jihad. It is obligatory for those men to be cautious lest they should violate those wives' honor, by being alone with them, gazing at them, or speaking lewdly to them. These wives are as unlawful for them (to marry) as their mothers. This is because the Mujāhids have entrusted their families to the care of those men, and, therefore, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) advised that it is the duty of each of those men to do his duty towards them and not betray the Mujāhid's trust by looking at his wife or attempting any indecent behavior or by being negligent in looking after their affairs, doing what is good for them, and warding harm off them. "Anyone who stays behind looking after the family of a Mujāhid and betrays his trust will be made to stand on the Day of Judgment before the Mujāhid who will take away from his good deeds as much as he likes until he is satisfied." This means: Whoever dares to violate the honor of the wives of Mujāhids in their absence, and betrays them with regards to their wives, then Allah will enable the Mujāhid over him on the Day of Judgment whereby the Mujāhid will take from his good deeds as much as he wants until he is satisfied and pleased. Then the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "So what do you think (will he leave anything)?" i.e. How do you think the Mujāhid would take advantage of this chance of acquiring a large amount of good deeds? In other words, nothing will remain, as he will take all of that man's good deeds.

Categories

Blameworthy Morals, Rulings and Issues of Jihad