بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Since we are living in the times concerning which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prophesized that, “You will consider the good as evil and the evil as good,”[i] homemaking is considered a lowly and backward occupation, while in reality, it is amongst the most honorable and worthy professions. The best of women who set foot on this earth not only did it, they excelled therein and became sterling examples for the women of the world to follow.
There is no doubting that since Aishah رضي الله عنها did not have any children, after the demise of the Prophet ﷺ, she dedicated a lot of her time in teaching the Deen of Allah Ta’ala. This is why she is from amongst those who have narrated the largest number of ahadith. However, what many overlook, is that while the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was alive, along with learning the Deen, most of her time was spent in her husband’s service and looking after the home affairs.
She would grind the flour with her hands,[ii] knead the dough,[iii] cook herself,[iv] feed her husband ﷺ,[v] spread out the mattress,[vi] wash his clothing,[vii] bring water for his wudhu,[viii] comb his hair,[ix] apply perfume on him,[x] prepare his siwak (tooth-stick) before he slept[xi] and wash it after he used it.[xii] She also entertained the Prophet’s guest. Ya’eesh bin Tikhfah bin Qais Al-Ghifari said, “My father was one of Ashabus Suffah. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, ‘Let us go to the house of Aishah.’ So we went there, and he said, ‘0 Aishah, feed us.’ She brought some hashishah and we ate, then he said, ‘0 Aishah, feed us.’ She brought a small amount of haisah, the size of a pigeon, and we ate. Then he said, ‘0 Aishah, give us to drink.’ She brought a bowl of milk, and we drank. Then he said, ‘0 Aishah, give us to drink.’ She brought a small cup and we drank.”[xiii]
In fact, Aishah رضي الله عنها used to be so busy with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that she was unable to make up (qadha) of her missed Ramadhan fast throughout the year and only got a chance just before the next Ramadhan. She (May Allah be pleased with her) said, “I used to have (missed) fasts of Ramadan which needed to be made up, but I could not do it except in the month of Sha’ban due to my duties to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).”[xiii]
Imam Nawawi رحمه الله comments, “Each one of them (his respected wives) had prepared themselves for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and were waiting to benefit him at all times if he so wished. They didn’t know when he would want them, and they didn’t seek permission to fast out of fear that he would permit them and then he may fall in need and they may miss the opportunity.”[xiv]
Allamah Sulaiman Nadawi رحمه الله writes in ‘Seerah Sayyidah Aishah’, “She strove day and night in the obedience of the Messenger ﷺ, in fulfilling his commands and prohibitions and in searching for his desires and pleasure.[xv] If she spotted any sign of grief, distress or dislike in his face she would become concerned for him and that would hurt her.[xvi] [If the dislike was due to something she did, she would at once make amends and comfort him].[xvii] She also used to take into consideration the relatives of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and would never reject any of their requests.[xviii] She also respected the companions of the Prophet ﷺ and didn’t turn down their wishes[xix].”[xx]
In summary, she did all the chores in the house and looked after her husband ﷺ in the best of manners.[xxi] Remember, this is the most knowledgeable woman in the history of Islam, yet she did not consider it below her to serve as a housewife and homemaker. Rather, since the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم were most keen in prioritizing the best manner in which to spend their time, this preference of Aishah رضي الله عنها and the other wives of the Prophet ﷺ is ample evidence to prove that homemaking for a woman is the best way to spend her time wisely and fruitfully.
May Allah allow us to see through the thick fog of the wide-spread falsehood and the deception of the glitz and glamour of this kuffar society and may He guide us to that which pleases Him.
Also see here.
[i] Abu Ya’la in Musnad #6420 and Tabarni in Awsat #9325
[ii] Bukhari in Adabul Mufrad #120
[iii] Sahih Bukhari #4141
[iv] Sahih Bukhari #4141, Bukhari in Adabul Mufrad #120
[v] Bukhari in Adabul Mufrad #120
[vi] Seerah Aishah by Nadawi Pg.95, Shamail Tirmidhi #325-327, Also about Hafsah رضي الله عنها
[vii] Sahih Bukhari #229-232
[viii] Sahih Muslim #746, Ahmed in Musnad Vol.6 Pg.68 (#24387 Arnawut)
[ix] Sahih Bukhari #2028-2029
[x] Sahih Bukhari #1539
[xi] Sahih Muslim #746
[xii] Abu Dawud #52 and Badhlul Majhood Vol.1 Pg.333
[xiii] Hadith about entertaining guest: Abu Dawud #5040. Hadith about missed Ramadhan Fast Sahih Muslim #1146
[xiv] Sharh Muslim Vol.8 Pg.22
[xv] Musnad Ahmed Vol.4 Pg.58
[xvi] Musnad Ahmed Vol.6 Pg.117, Vol.6 Pg.138 (#65056, #65065 Arnawut)
[xvii] Seerah Aishah by Nadawi Pg.97, Sahih Bukhari #5961, #5954, #5955
[xviii] Sahih Bukhari #3503
[xix] Sahih Bukhari #7328
[xx] Seerah Aishah by Nadawi Pg.210 & 97
[xxi] This is not negating the assistance which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ extended in house chores.
