The Grand Imam: Affection and compassion between spouses constitute the basis for a stable family
His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof Ahmed Aṭ-Ṭayyeb, said that Islam urges the wife to adorn herself for the husband to endear herself to him and make him feel the tranquility referred to in the Qur’an; “and of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought” (30:21), this verse has profound dimensions in building the Muslim community.
In the ninth episode of his Ramadan program broadcast on Egyptian TV, "Sheikh Al-Azhar’s Talk", His Eminence the Grand Imam explained that the verse shows that woman is created from man; Allah created Eve from Adam ("He created for you from yourselves mates … that you may find tranquility in them"). Hence, a husband dwells in his wife's heart and she dwells in his heart, and she is the person with whom he realizes self-recognition and regains strength, as the Qur’an also expresses this meaning when Allah says: “They are a garment (i.e. mutual protection) for you and you are a garment for them”. The husband and wife are protected by each other, being united through marriage, and thus having mutual affection and mercy, which is the basis for a stable family.
The Grand Imam added that this tranquility only happens when the wife takes care of herself to be at her best, which is commended by the Messenger of Allah ((PBUH)) who said, “...and if he looks at her, he is pleased”. This does not mean that a wife spends the whole day in front of the mirror. Such effort by the wife in taking care of herself is a way to Paradise. The Grand Imam clarified that the husband is also required to take care of himself so as to please his wife. Interpreting Allah’s saying, “And live with them in kindness”, Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I adorn and beautify myself for my wife just as she beautifies herself for me”.
The Grand Imam's program is broadcast at 6:15 pm daily throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan. The program discusses a number of Muslim family issues, the rights recognized by Islam for husband and wife, and how to preserve the family entity as a basis for building a sound human community.