THE BEST TREASURE
The Quran states: “Believers, many religious scholars, and monks wrongfully appropriate people’s possessions and turn people away from God’s path! Tell those who hoard gold and silver instead of giving in God’s cause that they will have a painful punishment: on the Day their treasure is heated up in the fire of hell, their foreheads and their sides and their backs shall be branded with it, and they will be told, ‘This is what you hoarded up for yourselves. Taste then what you were hoarding.’” (9:34–35)
When this verse was revealed, the Prophet of Islam said, “Woe to gold, and woe to silver.” (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 23101) This deeply disturbed the Companions. They said among themselves, “Then what kind of wealth should we keep?” Umar ibn al-Khattab said, “Shall I go and ask the Prophet about this?” They replied, “Yes, certainly.” So Umar went to the Prophet of Islam and said, “This statement has weighed heavily on your Companions—they are asking what kind of wealth they should accumulate.”
The Prophet said: “Yes, then let one of you acquire a tongue that remembers God, a heart that is grateful, and a wife who helps him in his faith.” (Tafsir al-Tabari, Vol. 14, p. 223)
In another narration, the Prophet said: “Shall I tell you the best treasure a man can store up for himself? It is a righteous wife: when he looks at her, she pleases him; when he commands her, she obeys; and when he is absent, she safeguards his honour and his wealth.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith No. 1664)
In this hadith, a woman is described as the best treasure a man can possess—and rightly so. Gold, silver, or material wealth may fulfill physical needs, but a righteous woman turns a household into a haven of joy, peace, and comfort.
A righteous woman spreads sweetness in the home through her gentle speech. Her good character creates an atmosphere of dignity and warmth. Her refined behaviour becomes a source of moral inspiration for others. Her innate gentleness moulds her into a soft-natured person, and this softness flows through the entire household.
By her natural disposition and circumstances, a woman is the primary caretaker of the home. In the domestic sphere, she holds the central role. Thus, the well-being or breakdown of a home largely depends on her. A home thrives with the right woman—and declines with the wrong one. That is why a woman is called the best treasure.
The measure of a woman’s success lies in her ability to turn the home into a garden of happiness. Her husband and other family members should receive joy from her presence. Her existence should be a source of benefit and blessing for everyone. There should be trust that, whether she is present or not, she will always speak well of her family, and her treatment of them will always be in their best interest—both in this life and the next.
A woman is the treasure of the home—indeed, the finest treasure. She is the flower of the family garden—indeed, the most beautiful flower. She is the light of the household—indeed, the brightest light. But a woman can fulfill this natural role only when she is thoughtful and aware—when she understands not only her own emotions but also those of others. And when she is firmly committed to fulfilling the human role entrusted to her by the Creator, even if it demands sacrifice, patience, and endurance.
