11. The Greatest Blessing of Life
Abdullah bin Abbas narrated that the Prophet of Islam (SAW) said: “There are four things which, if granted to a person, mean that he has been given the best of both this world and the Hereafter: a thankful heart, a tongue that remembers Allah, a body that remains patient in adversity, and a wife who does not betray him in her character or his wealth.” (Shu‘ab al-Iman by al-Bayhaqi, Hadith No. 4115)
This refers to a wife in whom her husband has complete confidence, both with regard to herself and his property. Such confidence, however, must always be mutual. When husband and wife come to regard each other as completely their own, all sense of distance between them disappears. They no longer think in terms of ‘me’ and ‘you’; instead, their personalities seem to merge into one another, forming one living whole.
This mutual trust and connection between husband and wife are among the greatest blessings for both. When such a bond develops, neither of them feels alone in the world. Each feels as though the whole world is on their side and accompanying them on the journey of life. This realization gives them immense strength, making nothing seem impossible thereafter.
A woman becomes everything to a man when he feels that he, too, means everything to her. This trust is inherently reciprocal. According to the laws of nature, such a bond cannot exist in a one-sided way.
