Compliance with Husband Caused Father’s Forgiveness

“Anas bin Malik (radi Allahu anhu) reported from the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) that a man told his wife, as he was leaving his house, not to go out in his absence. Her father lived in the lower portion of the house and she lived in the upper portion. Her father fell ill so she sent a message and asked Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) what to do. He told her to obey her husband. Her father died, so she asked from the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) again regarding her case. He told her again to obey her husband. Then he (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) sent her a message saying, ‘Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) has forgiven your father due to your obedience of your husband.” [Mujamah]

From this hadith we learn of the right of the husband that his wishes regarding his wife’s comings and goings should be abided by, and we also see how handsomely Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) rewards this obedience.

The only reason that the woman did not go to visit her sick father was because her husband had told her not to leave the house in his absence. The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) also instructed the lady to respect what her husband had asked of her.

Although she was not able to visit her sick father, she became the cause of his being forgiven all his sins, the most worthy gift she could have given him. When a woman’s obedience of her husband can be the cause of her father’s forgiveness, it would surely be sufficient to secure her own Maghfirah (forgiveness) as well.