Married Women* [[--- Episode 11 ---]]

 *Married Women*

[[--- Episode 11 ---]]
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*Wrong Expectations & Competitive Rivalry:*

بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم

Dear sisters in Islam, marriage is a beautiful bond built on mutual love, respect, and understanding. Yet, one of the greatest tests many women face is managing their expectations and resisting the urge to compete with others. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, *"Look at those below you (in worldly matters), and do not look at those above you, for that is more likely to hold you back from despising the favors of Allah."* 📚(Bukhari & Muslim).

As Muslim women, we must remember that our homes are not battlegrounds for keeping up with others, nor are our husbands ATMs to fulfill every passing whim. 

My Sister,

It is natural to admire beautiful things—a sister’s elegant dress, a friend’s luxurious furniture, or a relative’s lavish lifestyle. But when admiration turns into competition, and competition turns into demands, we risk falling into a destructive cycle. Yes. Many marriages suffer because of unrealistic demands and the constant desire to "keep up with the Joneses." And Shaytan whisper unto these kinds of women: *"Why don’t you have this? Your husband should provide it!"* But remember: *"Comparison is the thief of joy."*

My Sister,

Competing with others in materialism leads only to dissatisfaction. And a woman who constantly measures her worth—and her husband’s—by what others have will never find peace. Instead, she should measure her blessings by the contentment in her heart and the stability of her home. 

In fact,

Forcing a husband into debt for unnecessary luxuries is not just financial pressure—it is an attack on his dignity. And Islam teaches men to provide *according to their ability* 📚(Quran 65:7), not beyond it😀. A woman who pushes her husband to borrow for fleeting desires is like one who *"digs a hole in her own boat"*—sooner or later, both will sink. 

It's true that,

Some women, blinded by materialism, push their husbands so hard that the marriage collapses under the weight of their demands. Divorce may seem like an escape, but what follows? The loss of a stable home, the separation from children, and the loneliness of an empty life. 

Later in life, even if remarriage happens, will the new husband be any different? *"A leopard does not change its spots."* Most men will not tolerate endless financial pressure. The same cycle may repeat, leaving the woman in greater regret. 

Therefore,

Real happiness is not in designer clothes or expensive furniture—it is in a peaceful home, a loving husband, and grateful children. A smart woman invests in her *akhirah* (hereafter) by being patient, appreciative, and wise with wealth. 

Sister!

Marriage thrives when both partners support each other—not when one becomes a financial tyrant😀. Be the woman who is *"a comfort to the eyes"* 📚(Quran 25:74), not a source of stress.

To be continued