Imam Al-Ghazali: A Pious Wife is a Means to Attain Happiness in the Hereafter
Marriage in Islam is not only aimed at building a harmonious family, but also serves as a path to draw closer to Allah SWT. In his book Ihya Ulumuddin, Imam Al-Ghazi explains that one of the greatest blessings in marriage is having a pious wife who helps her husband attain happiness in the hereafter.
Imam Al-Ghazali, who holds the title Hujjatul Islam Zainuddin al-Thusi, explained that a pious wife is a means towards the interests of the afterlife. This is because a pious wife will help her husband draw closer to Allah SWT.
According to Imam Al-Ghazali, marriage contains five virtues. First, obtaining children or descendants who are expected to be pious. Second, channelling lust in a way that is permitted by Allah SWT. Third, creating inner peace in life and in the household. Fourth, increasing devotion or worship to Allah SWT. Fifth, earning rewards for the efforts made in fulfilling the obligation to provide for the family.
It is explained in Ihya Ulumuddin that the fourth benefit of marriage is to increase worship to Allah SWT. There is pleasure and enjoyment obtained when drawing closer to Allah SWT.
A pious wife is one who can manage her household carefully, which also means helping her husband draw closer to Allah SWT.
Abu Sulaiman al-Darani Rahimahullah once said, ‘A pious woman or wife is not only clever but is also one of the three pleasures of the world. A pious wife is also one of the means towards the interests of the hereafter. A pious wife will help her husband draw closer to Allah SWT by managing the household and giving him pleasure and happiness, and vice versa (for the husband).’
The Prophet Muhammad SAW said, ‘You should be grateful to Allah SWT, perform dhikr, and have a pious wife (or a pious husband) who can help you towards the goodness of the land of the hereafter.’ (Narrated by Imam At-Tirmidhi)
Umar bin Khattab Radhiyallahu anhu once said, ‘There is no gift from Allah SWT to His believing servant that is better than a pious wife or life partner. There is no wealth that compares to a pious wife bestowed by Allah SWT upon a believing man.’
The Messenger of Allah SAW once said, ‘I have been given superiority over other children of Adam in two matters. First, their wives help them towards acts of disobedience, whereas my wives help me towards obedience to Allah SWT. Second, their devils do not submit to them, whereas my devil submits to me and does not command me except to do good.’ (Narrated by Imam Al-Khathib)