Honoring women as wives

 Allah commands that a Muslim man treat his wife kindly, 

saying,

             "And live with them honorably.'' An-Nisa 4:19.

Ibn Katheer said, "This means to speak to your wives softly and let your actions towards them be as kind as possible, that is to say, in the manner you would like reciprocated. 

Allah also says, 

                          "And they (women) have rights (over their husbands as regards living expenses) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and respect) to what is reasonable.'' Al-Baqarah 2:228. 

 In an authentic Hadith reported by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah, the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "The best among you is the best one in treatment of his family and I am the best of you in the treatment of his family.'' Among the characteristics of Allah's Messenger were kindness and cheerfulness. He used to joke with members of his family being extremely amicable with them, to the extent that it is narrated that he would engage in racing 'A'ishah, the mother of the believers (May Allah be pleased with her), thereby showing love to her. She said, "The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) competed with me in a race and I outstripped him (that was before I put on weight). After I had put on some weight, I competed with him and he outstripped me. He then said, "This outstripping is in retaliation for that one.'' It was also the habit of the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) to spend some time with his family after performing the 'Isha' (late evening) prayer before he went to bed.

A Muslim is required to exercise patience with his wife even if he dislikes her. 

Allah says, 

                   "If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allah brings through it a great deal of good.''In his commentary of this verse, Ibn Katheer said, "This Recorded by Ahmad, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah; and it is an authentic Hadith. An-Nisa 4:19.

Means that your patience by keeping them, though you dislike that, may do you a lot of good in this world and the Hereafter. According to Ibn 'Abbaus, that good may be in form of an abundantly blessed offspring that Allah may bless him with by that woman if he is patient with her and shows compassion to her.'' Likewise, the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "No believing man should hate a believing woman. If he dislikes a behavior of hers, he should be pleased with other aspects of her.''

                           The woman's legal rights upon her husband are clearly detailed in the chapter on marriage. However, we are going to mention here one of the instances cited by the scholars that relates to honoring motherhood.

                           The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him), advised on many occasions that the mother should be treated in the kindest way. He also advised that caring for her should be given preference over that of the father. Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated, "A man came to Allah's Messenger and said, "O Allah's Messenger! Who is more entitled to be treated with the best companionship by me?'' The Prophet said, "Your mother.'' The man said. "Who is next?'' The Prophet said, "Your mother.'' The man further said, "Who is next?'' The Prophet said, "Your mother.'' The man asked for the fourth time, "Who is next?'' The Prophet said, "Your father.'' 

                          The Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) also regarded her pleasure as a way to Paradise. A man came to him and said, "Messenger of Allah, I want to fight in the way of Allah, please advise me.'' The Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Do you have a mother?'' The man answered in the affirmative. Thereupon the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Go and stay with her, for Paradise is at her feet.''