10. A Companion You Can Rely On
Abu Umamah narrated that the Prophet of Islam (SAW) used to say: “After God-consciousness, the greatest blessing a believer can receive is a righteous wife: when he asks her to do what is right, she responds positively; when he looks at her, she brings him joy; when he makes an earnest request of her, she honours it; and when he is away, she remains faithful to him and takes good care of herself and his property.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 1857)
This teaching applies equally to both men and women. They can become the best companions for one another only when they cultivate these qualities within themselves.
Men and women complement each other; together, they complete each other’s lives. A man’s life is incomplete without a woman, and likewise, a woman’s life is incomplete without a man.
For both men and women, this role is not fulfilled by marriage alone. They must also take on another important responsibility: raising their awareness and mentally preparing themselves for this task. The home should become a place of learning, where husband and wife are both teachers and students. Strengthening their relationship in this way is one of the keys to success in married life.
The words of the hadith are especially significant: she should handle her husband’s wealth responsibly and with his best interests in mind. In other words, the best woman is one who manages household finances wisely and shares responsibility with her husband for managing the family’s finances.
The Quran states that wealth is a means of sustenance in this worldly life (4:5). The best way to use wealth is to spend it on genuine needs. Wasteful spending is so harmful that, in the Quran, those who indulge in it are called the brothers and sisters of Satan. (Quran, 17:27)
Women often have considerable influence over household spending. The Quran refers to an inclination towards adornment and display in the context of women. (43:18) Consequently, unnecessary expenditure on celebrations, furniture, clothing, and similar items may sometimes be driven by a desire for display. Since women frequently play a central role in managing the household, they can greatly influence whether its financial resources are used wisely or spent wastefully.
From a positive perspective, this means that the success of a household depends on a culture of simplicity, and this culture is largely shaped by the woman. Although simplicity may seem like a small matter, it is in fact one of life’s most important values. Where simplicity exists, many other matters naturally fall into place. A well-known saying expresses this truth: “Simple living, high thinking.”
Simplicity and high thinking are closely connected. Where there is simplicity, high thinking can develop; and where there is high thinking, simplicity will naturally follow. Simplicity means distinguishing between genuine needs and false needs. Confusing false needs with genuine ones—and spending money on them—is a harmful habit that hinders intellectual development.
Conversely, ignoring false needs and spending only on real needs allows a person to pursue intellectual development.
Wastefulness and high thinking cannot coexist. High thinking requires a simple life.
Managing a household according to the principles of simplicity is primarily the woman’s responsibility. If she fosters a culture of simplicity at home by managing household finances wisely, it becomes a remarkable achievement and makes her a true builder of humanity.
Just as simplicity reflects a principled way of life, money management reflects a well-planned life. Those who follow these principles understand the importance of priorities. They move away from a purposeless existence and choose a life of purpose. They rise above a primitive way of living and lead a truly human life. Such individuals receive Allah’s rewards both in this world and in the Hereafter. As the Quran expresses it, they partake in the good of both this world and the Hereafter.
