Lower your gaze .. (short story)

Dear Members, As Salaamu Alaikum!

Today we will share with you a story of a person with strong desires to look at people in the market. We too may be like this person. Many of us have lots of desires to look at other men/women in the market. And when we start looking , the evil desires also come up in the heart. And they surface soon and cause us to commit shameless sins. We must lower our gaze as guided in the Holy Qur'an. Dear brothers and sisters,  Ramadan is just less than a week away so start lowering your gaze from now itself. Remember, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala is watching you all the time, so fear Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala and do not become a prey to Shaitaan.

Let us read a short story which will In sha Allah help us to lower our gaze.


A Young man came to a Maulana and said, “I am a young man with strong desires. I cannot help looking at people when I am in the bazaar (market). What do I do?” The Maulana handed him a cup of milk that was full to the brim, and told him to deliver it to an address that would take the young man directly through the bazaar (market). He then instructed the young man that the milk should not spill, and the man said that it would not. The Maulana then summoned one of his students and told him to accompany the man through the bazaar to the destination, and to severely beat him if any milk were to spill. This man successfully took the milk to the destination and returned to give the good news to the Maulana. The Maulana asked, “Tell me, how many sights and faces did you see in the bazaar?” The man replied incredulously, “Maulana, I didn’t even realize what was going on around me. I was only fearful of the beating and disgrace that I would have to endure in public if a drop of milk were to spill.” The Maulana smiled and said,

“It is the same with a believer. The believer fears that Allah may disgrace him in front of the entire creation on the Day of Judgment if his faith were to spill over from his heart.”

Such people save themselves from sin because they constantly remain focused and are prepared for the Day of Judgment.

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Hijaab for men
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 Islam has a system of hijaab. The Glorious Qur’an first mentions hijaab for the men and then for the women. Hijaab for the men is mentioned in the following verse:

"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do."

[Al-Qur’an 24:30]

The moment a man looks at a woman and if any brazen or unashamed thought comes to his mind, he should lower his gaze.
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Hijaab for women
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Hijaab for women is mentioned in the following verse:


"And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons...."
[Al-Qur’an 24:31]

The extent of hijaab for a woman is that her complete body should be covered. The only part that can be seen, are the face and the hands up to the wrists. If they wish to cover, they can even cover these parts of the body. However some Islamic scholars insist that even the face should be covered.

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Jesus(AS) predicts coming of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

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(NEWS)  Secret Bible  in which 'Jesus(AS) predicts coming of Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu 'Alaihi Wassallam)' unearthed in Turkey

   As Salaamu Alaikum

Today we will bring to you a very important news from Turkey. A secret Bible has said to been found in Turkey in which Prophet Jesus (AS) predicts coming of Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu 'Alaihi Wassallam)

A secret Bible in which Jesus is believed to predict the coming of the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu 'Alaihi Wassallam) to Earth has sparked serious interest from the Vatican.
Pope Benedict XVI is claimed to want to see the 1,500-year-old book, which many say is the Gospel of Barnabas, that has been hidden by the Turkish state for the last 12 years.
The £14million handwritten gold lettered tome, penned in Jesus' native Aramaic language, is said to contain his early teachings and a prediction of the Prophet's coming.


The leather-bound text, written on animal hide, was discovered by Turkish police during an anti-smuggling operation in 2000.
It was closely guarded until 2010, when it was finally handed over to the Ankara Ethnography Museum, and will soon be put back on public display following a minor restoration.
A photocopy of a single page from the handwritten ancient manuscript is thought to be worth £1.5million.

Turkish culture and tourism minister Ertugrul Gunay said the book could be an authentic version of the Gospel, which was suppressed by the Christian Church for its strong parallels with the Islamic view of Jesus.

He also said the Vatican had made an official request to see the scripture - a controversial text which Muslims claim is an addition to the original gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke and John.

In line with Islamic belief, the Gospel treats Jesus (AS) as a human being and not a God.

It rejects the ideas of the Holy Trinity and the Crucifixion and reveals that Jesus AS predicted the coming of the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu 'Alaihi Wassallam)
In one version of the gospel, he is said to have told a priest: 'How shall the Messiah be called? Muhammad is his blessed name'.



WHO WAS ST BARNABAS?

Born in Cyprus as Joseph, Barnabas was an Early Christian later named an apostle.
His story appears in the Acts of the Apostles, and Paul mentions him in some of his epistles.
The date, place, and circumstances of his death are historically unverifiable.
But Christian tradition states that he was martyred at Salamis, Cyprus.
He is traditionally identified as the founder of the Cypriot Church, with his feast day on June 11.

And in another Jesus denied being the Messiah, claiming that he or she would be Ishmaelite, the term used for an Arab.
Despite the interest in the newly re-discovered book, some believe it is a fake and only dates back to the 16th century.
The oldest copies of the book date back to that time, and are written in Spanish and Italian.
Protestant pastor İhsan Özbek said it was unlikely to be authentic.
This is because St Barnabas lived in the first century and was one of the Apostles of Jesus, in contrast to this version which is said to come from the fifth or sixth century.
He told the Today Zaman newspaper: 'The copy in Ankara might have been written by one of the followers of St Barnabas.
'Since there is around 500 years in between St Barnabas and the writing of the Bible copy, Muslims may be disappointed to see that this copy does not include things they would like to see.
'It might have no relation with the content of the Gospel of Barnabas.'
Theology professor Ömer Faruk Harman said a scientific scan of the bible may be the only way to reveal how old it really is.

To read this news and to look at the pictures of this recently found bible, please see:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2105714/Secret-14million-Bible-Jesus-predicts-coming-Prophet-Muhammad-unearthed-Turkey.html


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Allah Knows Best (Poem)

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 As Salaamu Aliakum

Beautiful Poem: Allah Knows Best

Allah knows what’s best for us
So why should we complain
We always want the sunshine
... But He knows there must be rain

We always want the laughter
And the merriment of cheer
But our hearts will lose their tenderness
If we never shed a tear.

Allah tests us often
With suffering and with sorrow
He tests us not to punish us
But to help us meet tomorrow

For growing trees are strengthened
If they withstand the storm
And the sharp cut of the chisel
Gave the marble grace and form

Allah tests us often
And for every pain He gives to us
Provided we’re patient
Is followed by rich again

So whenever we feel that everything is going wrong
It is just Allah’s way
To make our spirit’s strong.

If you never felt the pain in your life,
how wud you know Allah is HELPER?
If you never made a mistake, how
would you know Allah is FORGIVER?
If you were never hurt, how would
... you know Allah can comfort you?
If your life was perfect, then why
would you need Allah?
Alwayz say Allhumdulillah!

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10 MUST KNOWN ACTS OF WORSHIP

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As Salaamu Alaikum!


Today we will bring to you Ten Phrases That are very easy to learn and implement In sha Allah and carry immense rewards and benefits.

1 ♥ “Whoever says: ‘Glorified is Allah, the Most Great, and Praised is He’ [Subhan Allah hil Azeem wa Bi-Hamdihi] will have a date palm planted for him in Paradise.” ['Sahih al-Jami''; 5531]


2 ♥ “Whoever is stricken with sadness, grief, sickness or hardship and says: ‘Allah is my Lord, without any partners’ [Allahu Rabbi, la sharika lah], then it will be removed from him.” ['Sahih al-Jami''; 6040]


3 ♥ “Whoever ate something, then said: ‘Praise be to Allah who has fed me this food and provided it for me, without any strength or power on my part’ [al-Hamdu lillah alazi at'amani hadha wa Razaqnih bi ghayr hawlin minni wa la quwwa] is forgiven his past and future sins. And whoever wears a garment and says: ‘Praise be to Allah who has clothed me with this garment and provided it for me without any strength or power on my part’ [al-Hamdu lillah alazi kasani hadha at-thawb wa Razaqnih bi ghayr hawlin minni wa la quwwa] is forgiven his past and future sins.” ['Sahih al-Jami''; 6086]


4 ♥ “Whoever enters the marketplace and says: ‘There is none worthy of worship except Allah who has no partners, for Him is the Dominion, and for Him is all Praise, He brings life and He causes death, and He is Alive and does not die, in His Hand is all good, and He is able to do all things,’ [La ilaha ill-Allah, Wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-Mulk, wa lahul-Hamd, yuhyiyy wa yumit, wa Huwa Hayyun la yamut, bi Yadihil-Khayr wa Huwa 'ala kulli shay'in Qadeer] then Allah will write one million good deeds for him, and will wipe away one million of his bad deeds, and will raise him one million levels and will build a home for him in Paradise.” ['Sahih al-Jami''; 6231]

5 ♥ “Whoever controls his anger when he is able to act upon it, then Allah will call him to come in front of all of the Creation so that he would let him choose from the Hur al-’Ayn and marry from them whomever he pleases.” ['Sahih al-Jami''; 6518]


6 ♥ “Whoever asks Allah for Paradise three times [Allahumma inni as'aluk al-Jannah], then Paradise will say: “O Allah! Enter him into Paradise!” And whoever seeks protection with Allah from the Fire three times [Allahumma najjini min an-Naar], the Fire will say: “O Allah! Protect him from the Fire!“” [Reported by at-Tirmizi, and it is authentic]


7 ♥ “Whoever seeks forgiveness for the believing men and the believing women, Allah writes for him - for every believing man and woman - a good deed.” [Reported by at-Tirmizi, Ibn Majah, and Ahmad, and it is authentic]


8 ♥ ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud said: “Whoever reads ‘al-Mulk’ (chapter 67 of the Qur’an) every night, Allah will protect him from the torment of the grave. At the time of the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam), we used to call it al-mani’ah (that which protects). In the Book of Allah, it is a chapter which - whoever recites it every night - has done very well.” ['Sahih at-Targhib wat-Tarhib'; 1475]

9 ♥ “Whoever asks Allah sincerely for martyrdom [Allahumma inni as'aluk ash-shahadah], Allah will cause him to reach the status of the martyrs even if he dies in his bed.” ['Sahih al-Bukhari'; 1909]

10 ♥ “No one witnesses that there is none worthy of worship but Allah and that I am (Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) Allah’s Messenger - truthfully, from his heart - except that Allah makes the Fire of Hell forbidden to touch him.” [Reported by Muslim, Ahmad, and al-Bayhaqi]

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Story of a shefered - fear of Allah

Abdullah ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhu) was once going out of Madeena with his servants. It became time to eat so the servants took the food out and everyone sat down to eat. A shepherd grazing some goats passed by and greeted them with Salaam. Ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhu) invited him to eat with them but he said, “I’m fasting.” 

Ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhu) wondered aloud, “In this intense heat of summer with fiery hot winds blowing, you are fasting in the wilderness?” The shepherd replied: “I am preparing the days of my past (Ayyaam-il-Khaaliya).” The shepherd was referring to the Ayat in Surah Al-Haaqqa in which Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) says about the people in Jannah: “(It will be said to them) Eat and drink with relish, in exchange for those deeds which you did in days gone by (Ayyaam-il-Khaaliya, i.e. life in the world).” [Surah Al-Haaqqa: Ayat 24] 

This Ayat means that on the Day of Resurrection it will be said to the believers: “In the world you left your desires for Allah, and you bore the difficulties of hunger and thirst, so now eat, drink and enjoy to your heart’s content and no one will stop you.” The shepherd meant that he was trying to make the days of his life in the world valuable to his Hereafter.

To test him, Ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhu) said, “We want to buy a goat. Tell us the price and take the money. We will sacrifice the goat and also give you some of the meat to open your fast with.” The shepherd replied, “These goats do not belong to me, I am a slave. They belong to my master.” Ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhu) insisted, “How will your master find out? Tell him that a wolf ate it!”

The shepherd pointed to the sky and said: “Fain Allah (Then where is Allah?)” What he meant was, “Where will Allah go while I am doing this. Allah is always watching! So how can I deceive anyone?” Ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhu) with mixed feelings of joy and amazement would keep repeating, “A shepherd says, ‘Where is Allah! Where is Allah!’”

Abdullah ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhu) returned to Madeena and went to the master of this slave. He bought from him the slave and the goats, freed the slave, and gave the goats to him as a gift. This was the condition of the shepherds of that time, that even in the middle of the jungle they worried about Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) watching them.

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WHY DOES ISLAM NOT ALLOW A WOMAN TO MARRY MULTIPLE MEN

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There are some ignorant and loud¬mouthed people in our time who have started saying - when men are allowed to take more than one wife, women too should have the permission to enjoy more than one husband. This tasteless bravado is totally contrary to this noble verse. People who indulge in such flippant display of ignorance do not see that plurality of wives is a blessing which has been historically endorsed in all religions and societies. But, for a woman, having more than one husband at the same time is not only a headache for her in person, but it is also disgraceful for those two men who become husbands to one woman. This weird arrangement is not only shameless, but also leaves no possibility of any offspring being born lineally sound. When many men benefit from one woman, there will remain no method of attributing the fatherhood of the child so born to any one of the participating husbands. Such an obnoxious demand can only be made by those who are totally hostile to the graces of humanity, those who have buried their sense of shame once and for all and those who are supporting the movement to deprive human beings of blessings that issue forth from the recognized channel of parents and children bound in a charter of mutual rights. When lineage goes unproved, who is going to be charged with the responsibility of taking care of mutual rights and duties?

Even if this is looked at purely in terms of nature and reason, there seems to be no justification for the provision of several husbands for one woman:

1. The basic purpose of marriage is procreation. Seen from this angle, several women can certainly become pregnant from one man, but one woman cannot become pregnant from several men. She will become pregnant from none but one. What has thus happened is that, given the presence of several husbands, the procreating ability of all husbands, except one, was totally wasted on that count. They ended up with nothing beneficial except the lone satisfaction of their sexual drive.

2. Experience shows that woman is a genre more delicate than man. For a major portion of the year, she does not remain physically amenable to intimacy. There are conditions and circumstances in married life when it is not possible for her to fulfill the rights of even one husband, let alone more than one husband seeking her physical attention.

3. Since man is healthier and stronger in terms of physical power as compared to woman, man should, if his sexual strength is above average and he cannot find satisfaction by limiting himself to one woman, have the opportunity, of course by permissible means, to marry twice and thrice. If this is not allowed, he will take to impermissible ways of satisfying his desires, and in that process, he will ruin the whole society. But, the likelihood that woman could bring about such ruination is very remote.

This question is so important in the Shari'ah of Islam that it has not only ruled the second marriage of a woman unlawful when she is already married to someone else, but it also goes farther when it rules that, should the husband of a woman divorce her, or die, she still cannot marry another person until after the expiry of her 'iddah or waiting period.

 (except the bondwomen you come to own): This sentence is an exception from the rule set in   (the women already bound in marriage).

It means that it is not permissible that a woman who already has a husband be taken in marriage by another person, unless she comes in the ownership of a person as a bondwoman. This happened when Muslims had to carry out jihad against the infidels ofDar-al-harb (a non-Muslim state without a treaty of peace with the Muslims). As a result of a valid war with them women prisoners might have been brought to the Islamic state. If their non-Muslim husbands remained behind in their original non-Muslim State, their bond of marriage with them used to be terminated by their entry into the Islamic state, and it was lawful for a Muslim to marry her, if she was a Christian, a Jew or had embraced Islam. Similarly, if the head of the Islamic state opted to make her a bondwoman and had given her to a participant in the war as his share in the spoils, he could also enjoy her company. However, this marriage or enjoyment was permissible only after she goes through at least one menstruation period after her entry into the Islamic state. If it appeared that she was pregnant from her previous husband, it was necessary to wait until she delivers the child.........    

I THINK IT IS ENOUGH DESCRIPTION. MAY ALLAH GUIDE SUCH PEOPLE. Those who want to study more may read  (Para5, 1st ayah) tafsir in Tafasir.

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Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A)

"FIRST MAN TO ACCEPT ISLAM"

Hazrat Abu Bakr (The first Muslim Caliph) was a firm friend of  the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) and knew him better than any other man. His honestly, nobility and truthfulness, had great attraction of Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr gets the title of As-Siddiq. 

His conversion brought many people to Islam. Those who converted to Islam at the insistence of Abu Bakr (R.A) were:

: Uthman  Ibn Affan

: Al-Zubair

 : Talha Ibn Ubayd-Allah

: Abdur Rahman bn Awf

: Sa'd Ibn Abi Waqqas

: Abu Ubaidah ibn-al-Jarrah 

: Abu Salama

: Khalid ibn Sa'id 

: Abu Hudhaifah ibn al-Mughirah  

 

"AS A CALIPH"  

After his election as the Caliph, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq  addressed the Muslim with these words:

"O People! I have been chosen by you as your leader, although I am not better than any of  you. If  I do any wrong, set me right. Listen, truth is honestly untruth is dishonestly. The weak among you are the powerful in my eyes, as long as I do not give them their dues. The powerful among you are weak in my eyes, as long as I do not take away from them what is due to others. 

"Listen carefully, if people give up striving for the Cause of Almighty Allah, He will send down calamities upon them.

"Obey me as long as I obey Allah and His Prophet (P.B.U.H.). If I disobey Allah and His Prophet (P.B.U.H.), you are free to disobey me. "      

Friday

In Islam, Friday is a holy day. Friday is a very important day for Muslims.  Friday observance includes attendance at a mosque for congregation prayer or Salat AlJumu'ah. As well as a day of rest it is considered a day of peace and mercy. Directly before the prayer they listen to a lecture designed to empower them with valuable knowledge about Allah and the religion of Islam.

A believer's entire life is one worship; even celebrations are conducted as worship. While there is no special place or special time to worship God, there are moments, days, or time that God has made more superior; Friday is one of those times.

HADITH RELATED TO FRIDAY 

Imam Bukhari and Muslim reported:
 Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) had said, "We (Muslims) came last and yet we are the first on the day of judgment. They have received the books before us (meaning Torah and Injil). We have received the book after them (meaning the Qur’an). Friday was their day to be glorified. However, they disputed on that while Allah had told us Friday is the day to glorify. Thus they will follow us. The Jews glorify Saturday, and the Christians glorify Sunday."

Muslims Have to Do The Following Works On FRIDAY

 Narrated Abdullah bin Umar:
Allah's messenger (P.B.U.H) said, "Anyone of you attending the Friday (prayers) should take a bath."

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri:
Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said, " The taking of a bath on Friday is compulsory for every male (Muslim) who has attained the age of puberty."

Narrated Abu Hurairah:
Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said, " Any person who takes bath on Friday like the bath of Janabe and then  goes for the prayer ( in the first hour i.e. early) , it is as if he had sacrificed a camel ( in Allah's cause): and however goes in second hour it is as if he had sacrificed a cow; and whoever goes in the third hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a horned ram; and if one goes in the fourth hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a hen; and whoever goes in the fifth hour then it is as if he had offered an egg. When the Imam comes out (start delivering the Khutba), the angels present themselves to listen to the Khutba."

 Narrated Salman-Al-Farsi:
The Prophet of Allah (P.B.U.H) said," Whoever takes a bath on Friday, purifies himself as much as he can, then uses his (hair) oil or perfumes himself with the scent of his house, then proceeds (for the Jummah prayer) and does not separate two person sitting together (in the mosque), then prays as much as (Allah has) written for him and then remains silent while the Imam in delivering the Khutba, his sis in-between the present and the last Friday would be forgiven."

 THE MERITS OF THE FRIDAY

(1) Allah created Adam (A.S) on Friday
(2) Hazrat Adam (A.S) entered in Paradise on  Friday
(3) Hazrat Adam (A.S) was sent to the Earth on Friday as his vicegerent.
(4) Hazrat Adam  (A.S) died on Friday.
(5) There is a blessed hour on Friday during which a person is granted anything lawful and good by Allah that he prays for.
(6) The Day of Judgment will be on a Friday.

Reported by Imam Muslim, Abo-Dawod, Al-Nesaii, and Al-Termithi: 
Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) had said, "The best day during which the sun have risen is Friday. It is the Day Adam was created. It is the day when Adam entered paradise and also when he was taken out from it. It is also the day on which the day of judgment takes place."

Abu Huraira reported that Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:
" The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday; on it Adam war created .On it he was made to enter the Paradise, On it he was expelled from it and the last hour will take place on no day other then Friday."

COMMAND FOR FRIDAY

Friday Prayer is obligatory and this is supported by the Qur’an, the Sunnah and the consensus of the Muslims. It occupies an important place among the distinctive features of Islam. A person who does not believe in the obligatory status of the Friday Prayer falls outside the pale of Islam, and the one who abandons it due to negligence and carelessness, without a genuine reason, becomes a sinner. The Qur’án says:

O Believers! When you hear the call to the Friday Prayer, hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave your trading; this is better for you only if you know it. (62 9)

Here remembrance means the Friday Sermon and the congregational service, and hastening implies that one should make necessary preparations for it and attend the mosque promptly.

This unusual stress throws light on the unique importance of the Friday Prayer.

Characteristics of a good wife

Islam tells the women how to be good wives

1. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient (to Allah and to their husbands) and guard in the husband's absence what Allah orders them to guard (e.g. their honor, husband's property, etc). [4:34].

Ibn Katheer said, "Ibn Abbas said, 'The righteous women are obedient to their husbands (Qanitaat). Also ibn Katheer said, "Imam Suddi said, 'They (good wives) protect their husbands' honor and money in their absence."'

2. Ibn Hibban narrated that the Prophet (pbuh)said, what translated means, "If a woman prayed the five prayers, fasted in Ramadhan, protected her honor and obeyed her husband; then she will be told (on the Day of Judgment): enter Paradise from any of its (eight) doors.

3. -- The Prophet(pbuh) said, "Your women who will enter Paradise are those nice to their husbands, who bear children, and those who keep checking the needs of their husbands. If her husband gets angry with her, she would hold his hand and say : "By Allah, I will not sleep until you forgive me" [as-Silsilah as-Sahiha]

4. -an-Nasa'i narrated that the Prophet(pbuh) was asked, "Who are the best of women?" HE said, "The one who pleases him (her husband) if he looks at her, obeys him if he orders (her) and does not subject her honor or money to what he dislikes." 

From the above Hadiths, we can sum up the characteristics of a good muslim wife: 

1--She is a good Muslim, obedient to Allah and His Messenger.

2--She performs the five regular prayers and fasts Ramadhan.

3--She is obedient to her husband, unless he orders her to do evil.

4--She protects her husband's money and honor in his absence.

5--She is always nice to her husband, checking on his needs.

6--She always tries to please and calm him if he is angry or upset.

7--She bears his children and does not ask him for divorce for no reason.

8--She tries to always look and smell nice for her spouse. 

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