Tohfa-e-Dulhan Part 59

Main Topic

An encouragement for Muslim women to embrace domestic responsibilities, acquire productive skills, and emulate the exemplary lives of Sayyidatina Fatimah (R.A.) and the Sahabiyat (R.A.) rather than wasting time on useless entertainment.

Key Lessons

• Health and Physical Benefit: Doing housework serves as natural exercise that keeps a woman fit and healthy, whereas relying entirely on servants can lead to physical inactivity and ill health.
• Sunnah of Housework: Assisting with household chores is a Sunnah established by Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam), who patched his own clothes, mended his shoes, and helped his family.
• Example of Sayyidatina Fatimah (R.A.): Despite being the daughter of the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and the leader of the women of Jannah, her hands were calloused from grinding grain, and she carried heavy water bags herself without complaining.
• The Virtue of Haya (Modesty): Sayyidatina Fatimah (R.A.) turned back without asking her father for a maid servant when she saw other men present, demonstrating deep modesty and consideration for her father's public duties.
• Avoiding Mind-Numbing Entertainment: Modern entertainment (games, music, television) is designed to keep minds preoccupied with unproductive matters. Time is better spent acquiring practical skills like sewing, cooking, or crafts.
• Independence and Sadaqah through Skills: Skills acquired in youth provide financial independence during hardship and offer avenues for charity and community service.

Quranic/Hadith References

• Hadith of Sayyidatina A'ishah (R.A.): Reported that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) used to assist his family with domestic work and leave for Salah when the time came; he would mend his shoes and patch his clothing.
• Examples of the Sahabiyat (R.A.):
  • Sayyidatina Sauda (R.A.) mastered curing and tanning animal hides.
  • Sayyidatina Safiyyah (R.A.) was exceptionally skilled in cooking, praised even by her co-wife Sayyidatina A'ishah (R.A.).
  • Sayyidatina Umm Ziyad and Umm Shahjiyya (R.A.) spun cloth to assist the army during the campaign of Khyber.

Practical Advice

• Make the intention of following the Sunnah while performing daily household chores to earn spiritual reward.
• Encourage young women to learn practical crafts (sewing, baking, knitting) to stay productively occupied, help others, and build self-reliance.