WHEN TAQWĀ SHAPES DESTINY

 FAJR REMINDER: WHEN TAQWĀ SHAPES DESTINY

By: Umm Affān

Ṣafar 14, 1448 (29-July-2026)

How true is the Statement of Allāh (ﷻ): “Is there any reward for good other than good?” [Sūrah Ar-Raḥmān (55): 60] 

For the honesty of the milkmaid, the Khalīfah ‘Umar (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) said: “A daughter like her would be a great wife for my son. Someday she would make a good mother—strong, honest, and a great role model. Because she is so good, she should be given the greatest gift in the nation. Everyone in the nation should learn how to be good like her.”

This teaches us that obedience deserves recognition, just as wrongdoing deserves accountability. It is therefore from wisdom that leaders and parents encourage righteousness by honouring those who demonstrate sincerity, honesty, and upright conduct. Rewarding good inspires others to follow the same noble path.

The Khalīfah's desire for his son to marry this righteous young woman also provides valuable guidance. It reminds us that parents should actively seek spouses for their children based upon Dīn and noble character rather than just wealth, lineage, or social status. It was said that 'Umar Ibn Al-Khaṭṭāb (Raḍiyallāhu 'Anhu) stated: “Noble women should only be married to men who correspond to them (in character, etc).” [Mawsu'ah Ibn Abī ad-Dunyā 8/39]

Sadly, many people today have reversed these priorities. Wealth, prestige, family name, and worldly achievements often outweigh piety and excellent character when choosing a spouse. Is it any surprise, then, that so many homes are deprived of tranquillity and stability? Imām ash-Sha’bī (Raḥimahullāh) said: “Whoever marries his daughter to a perverted man has broken the ties of parenthood.” [Mawsu'ah Ibn Abī ad-Dunyā 8/39]

A righteous spouse is among the greatest blessings Allāh grants His servants. Such a spouse becomes a partner in worship, a source of comfort during hardship, a protector of the family's honour, and a means through which love, mercy, and tranquillity flourish within the home. For this reason, selecting a spouse based upon Eemān and noble character is one of the wisest investments a believer can make for both this world and the Hereafter.

Likewise, the role of a righteous woman in building society cannot be overstated. She nurtures generations, instils values, and shapes the character of future leaders. Strong families produce strong communities, and strong communities produce a righteous Ummah. When this foundation is neglected, the consequences affect everyone. Shaykh Ṣāliḥ al-Fawzān (Ḥafiẓahullāh) said, “If the woman is lost, the home is lost; if the home is lost, the children are lost; if the homes are lost, the society is lost.” [Muḥādarāt fil Aqīdah wad Da’wah, pg. 162]

For this reason, parents must devote themselves to raising children upon sound ‘Aqīdah, righteous manners, and noble character. Do not allow your definition of success to be limited to wealth, qualifications, or social status. Fir’aun, Qārūn, and Hāmān possessed immense wealth and influence, yet what benefit did these bring them before Allāh? True success is found only in holding firmly to the Religion of Allāh—Islām—and remaining steadfast upon it until death.

I beseech Allāh (ﷻ) to grant us righteous spouses, righteous children, and righteous homes that become a source of goodness for the Ummah. Aameen.