

I’ve always been intrigued by the hidden meaning of this hadith:
‘I bid you treat your women well, for women were created from a rib, the part of it that is most bent is its head, should you attempt to straighten it you will break it, and if you leave it be, it will remain bent.’
What does it meant by straightening it and let it remain bent?
From the hustles and bustles i've come acros this as tarbiah for today. which i wanna share, ready for more feminine side of me, yes, im soft in. =)
The hadith says, ‘I bid you treat your women well, for women were created from a rib, the part of it that is most bent is its head, should you attempt to straighten it you will break it, and if you leave it be, it will remain bent.’
The hadith obviously refers to the symbolism of the story of Eve’s creation from Adam’s rib. That she was created from him indicates that their natures are similar in many aspects and the way their difference do not oppose each other but complements one another.
The curve of the rib suggests the mother’s protective and nourishing holding of her child to her breast. This is the maximum emotional output in human terms.
The emotional charge required by women to function in the role of mother necessarily influences their ability to think detachedly and objectively, especially when their interests or those of their children are at stake.
This is why the upper end of head of the rib is said to be the part that suffers the most bending, that is, the part that is most subject to the sway of emotions.
To attempt to straighten it is to attempt to force women to act like men, which, if at all possible, would forthwith deprive them of their ability to care for their children adequately.
It is, however, plainly impossible, and this is why it was said in the hadith that it would break the rib, that is, lead to the disruption of the relationship and divorce.
This in no way means that there are no women who think more objectively than most men, nor that there are no men who are more emotional than most women. But it does mean that these difference should be seen in a positive not a negative light since the fact that each provides the things that the other lacks makes for a differentiation of roles within the relationship and thus for stability.
Women are required to be reasonably obedient, well groomed, efficient in the management of the household, solicitous for the children’s welfare, and loyal, that is, discrete as concerns her husband’s affairs and their mutual relationship.
[Excerpted from Man & the Universe, An Islamic Perspective by Mostafa al-Badawi.]
got this from kak ness nya blog tuh, tenkies.. weehee. too bz to write noww. xD
