As the world progresses, man is becoming devoid of humanity, getting stuck in the quagmire of irreligion and secularism. Ostensibly, the claim of enlightenment is on everyone's lips; but the interior is a dwelling of darkness. He is so engrossed in the rush of innovation that due to being fond of obscenity and nudity, he has become an example of "أولئك كاالأنعام ، بل هم أضل" (Those are like livestock; rather, they are more misguided). Others are others, but our own Muslims are also falling prey to this storm of indecency. The tongue claims "La Ma'bood Illallah" (There is no god but Allah); but in everything, Western civilization and culture have been given the status of God. They do not hesitate to perform Hindu customs and rituals in the name of religion. The situation has reached such a point that the ways of non-Muslims have entered every sphere of life in such a way that it is becoming difficult to distinguish between Muslims and non-Muslims, especially in marriage ceremonies, so much excess is being practiced that it has made an easy task like marriage difficult, due to which adultery is becoming common.
Therefore, where a curse like dowry has taken root in our society, a poor man works hard for years for his daughter's marriage, and in the end, burdened by debt, he sends off his daughter so that his reputation remains high in society. On the other hand, the desires and demands of girls are increasing. Every household is only prioritizing the world. Everyone is engrossed in the search for a job, no matter how morally degraded he may be, but if he is a high-level businessman or a government employee in worldly terms, he is given preference, although at this important occasion, piety should be considered first; but today what happens is that our girls also prefer such boys who have abundance of wealth, who own a big house, who have a big bungalow, who have plenty of land and property; although they have to spend their entire life with him, for which the selection of a life partner should be such that although financially weak, but religiously and morally so standard that he can respect the rights of his wife with dignity and peace throughout his life, and perform his duties with sincerity.
Today, our sisters and daughters should learn a lesson from the incident of "Hazrat Fatima bint Wahb (may Allah be pleased with her)" that despite belonging to a wealthy family, she agrees to make a poor, destitute companion a life partner only on the command of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Thus, Hazrat Saad Aswad is a companion of the Prophet, a resident of the village, his appearance is not good, he is nicknamed "Aswad" because of his blackness, he is so financially weak that many days pass on fasting, he sent his proposal to every house in Medina; but seeing his appearance and financial condition, everyone refused to give their daughter, finally, in a state of despair and hopelessness, he appeared in the assembly of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was present in the Prophet's Mosque among the Companions, when Saad Aswad narrated his situation to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), a string of tears flowed from the eyes of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and after a while he said: "Go Saad, I have married you to the most beautiful and richest girl in Medina, "Fatima bint Wahb bin Amr bin Thaqafi". So, taking this message, Hazrat Saad went to the house of Wahb Thaqafi, knocked on the door, Fatima's father Wahb Thaqafi opened the door, and inquired about the reason for his arrival, Hazrat Saad narrated the whole story, hearing which he got angry, and shouted, "Go away from here, I will never marry my daughter to such a man who has neither a good appearance, nor wealth"; but Hazrat Fatima (may Allah be pleased with her) was secretly listening to everything, she called out from inside and said, "When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has married me, then I accept this marriage, wealth and appearance have no status before the command of the Messenger".
In short! Hazrat Saad took her to his village home; but there were no food items in the house, due to which he was constantly worried that Fatima is the daughter of a big house, some arrangement has to be made for her, for this purpose he asked Fatima for permission to go out for a few moments; but Fatima did not allow it, and said, "My lord! Don't leave me and go anywhere." When Hazrat Saad started insisting again and again, then Hazrat Fatima asked the reason for going out, Hazrat Saad said that he has to arrange for food, so she said, what will you eat? Hazrat Saad replied that he is fasting, so Hazrat Fatima (may Allah be pleased with her) also said, "I swear by God, I am also fasting." Then she inquired, what will you break the fast with? On this question, Hazrat Saad (may Allah be pleased with him) took out a small piece of bread from a corner of the house and showed it, that I will break the fast with this. Hazrat Fatima also said that she does not want anything more, this is enough for me. Allah Allah! How much loyalty with the husband, and how much trust in Allah, that despite belonging to a wealthy family, she is ready to live with her husband on dry bread.
Today, our sisters and daughters should learn a lesson from this, surely you cannot show that level of contentment and trust; because this is an incident of Khair-ul-Quroon (the best of generations), from which we have moved far away; but you can do this much that you should not give more importance to wealth at the time of marriage; rather, make piety, loyalty and good morals the standard; because wealth is a vanishing shadow, it is here today but not tomorrow; but good morals, loyalty, concern for fulfilling responsibilities and trying to protect all rights, is such a thing that whoever has this quality, never lets tears come into anyone's eyes; therefore, our girls, and their parents should also keep these things in mind and entrust their daughter, surely their world and hereafter will both be successful. Insha'Allah.
*✍️: Muhammad Shahid Gadawi*