We live in an age where technology has reached heights our ancestors could never imagine. Machines think, cities glow with innovation, and the world moves at a pace faster than ever before. Yet despite all this progress, many men still fall into an old and ugly pattern—objectifying, belittling, and disrespecting women in ways that betray the very values we claim to uphold. We proudly narrate stories of the bravery of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his companions, but rarely do we highlight their gentleness, compassion, and deep respect towards women.
One of the most beautiful examples is found in the home of the Prophet ﷺ. Helping with household chores was not beneath him, though many men today consider such acts “unmanly.” ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها narrated, “He used to be in the service of his family” (Bukhari). If the best man to ever walk the earth did not see service to family as weakness, then neither should we. We demand modesty from women, question their clothing, and lecture them about rules-yet we hesitate to examine our own sins. In truth, we are often judging them simply because they sin differently. A SIN is a SIN, no matter who commits it, and judgment belongs only to Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ also taught us about the nature of women in a gentle and meaningful way. He said, “Woman was created from a rib, and the most curved part of the rib is its upper portion. If you try to straighten it, you will break it. But if you leave it, it remains curved” (Bukhari, Muslim). This was not a criticism—rather, a reminder that women are created with a nature that requires tenderness, patience, and understanding. It is society that has created a false image of “manliness” or “sigma”- based on ego and superiority. Sadly, many men feel pressured and try to fit into this mold, losing character and mercy in the process.
When a man came to the Prophet ﷺ asking who deserves the most kindness, the Prophet ﷺ said, "Your Mother". He asked, "Then, Who?" He ﷺ said, "Your Mother". He asked, "Then, Who?" He ﷺ said, "Your Mother". he asked, "Then, Who?" He ﷺ said, "Your Father". (Bukhari, Muslim). A woman’s role in nurturing families is foundational to the strength of the entire society. Yet too often we forget their sacrifices and hurt them with harsh words—towards our mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives-never realizing how delicate the human heart truly is.
It is heartbreaking that domestic violence remains common today, even though the Prophet ﷺ said, “The best of you are those who are best to their women” (Tirmidhi). He never insulted, shouted at, or struck a woman. Today, profanity has become a casual habit among youth, and it also involves abuses to innocent mothers and sisters. If this is our direction, we must pause and ask ourselves: where are we really heading to?
The Prophet ﷺ restored dignity to women at a time when society denied it to them-ending female infanticide (Qur’an 16:58–59), granting inheritance rights (Qur’an 4:7), establishing identity, security, and honor. Meanwhile, in the modern world, many women still struggle for basic respect, safety, equal pay, and humane treatment. Modern culture glorifies ego, selfish desires, and temporary pleasure. By contrast, Prophet ﷺ approached love as a responsibility, a trust, and a lifelong commitment.
He also valued women’s intellect and counsel. In the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, it was Umm Salama رضي الله عنها whose wisdom guided the Prophet ﷺ at a critical moment (on narrations similar to Bukhari). Yet many families today discourage girls from studying or pursuing knowledge, despite Islam’s clear encouragement of education. Khadījah رضي الله عنها was a successful businesswoman long before Islam was embraced by society. And history reminds us that the world’s first formal university–al-Qarawiyyin–was founded by a Muslim woman, Fatima al-Fihri (est. 859 CE).
The modern world often speaks loudly about women’s rights, but much of it is just verbal promise rather than practice. In the time of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, dignity and rights were not slogans-they were lived realities. And in closing, let us remember one of the most significant truth spoken by the Prophet ﷺ: “Paradise lies beneath your mother’s feet” (an-Nasa’i).
If we truly wish to honor women, we must begin by honoring the teachings of the best man who honoured them the most.
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