In Islam, marriage is a sacred bond based on mutual love, compas­sion, and responsibility. The Qur’an describes spouses as “garments for one another” (Qur’an 2:187), symbol­ising protection, comfort, and dignity. Within this partnership, the role of the Muslim woman is vital for nurtur­ing both the husband and the wider family.

Her responsibilities to her husband include fostering mutual respect, sup­porting him emotionally, safeguarding the home, and preserving his honor in his absence, as enjoined in Qur’an 4:34. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasised kindness and mutual care, reminding husbands and wives that “the best among you are those who are best to their wives” (Tirmidhi, Hadith 3895).

To her children, a Muslim woman is the first teacher and nurturer, instill­ing faith, morality, and discipline. Her role extends beyond physical care to building strong spiritual foundations for future generations.

For the family as a whole, she cul­tivates an environment of mercy, pa­tience, and cooperation, ensuring the home remains a sanctuary of Islamic values. Thus, in marriage, the Muslim woman’s role is not one of subservi­ence, but of partnership and leadership in nurturing a righteous family, the cornerstone of a strong society.

Influential women in early Islam

Numerous women in Islamic history shaped the faith’s intellectual, social, and political foundations:

• Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (RA): A successful merchant and the Prophet’s first wife, she financed the early Muslim community and offered emotional support during the Prophet’s first revelations (Al-Bukhari, Sahih, Book 58).
• Aisha bint Abu Bakr (RA): Among the most influential scholars of Islam, narrating over 2,000 Hadiths, and teaching compan­ions jurisprudence, theology, and ethics (Abbott, 1985).
• Nusaybah bint Kaʿb (RA): A cou­rageous warrior, she protected the Prophet during the Battle of Uhud (Ibn Sa’d, Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir).
• Rufayda al-Aslamiyya (RA): Re­garded as the first Muslim nurse, she pioneered organized medical care during battles (Al-Tabari, History of the Prophets and Kings).

These examples challenge the stereotype of passive Muslim women; instead, they reveal active partici­pants in religious, economic, intel­lectual, and political life.

Contemporary challenges and misunderstandings

Although Islam introduced revo­lutionary rights for women, in many societies cultural traditions and patriarchal practices have overshad­owed its principles. This has led to widespread misunderstandings of women’s roles.

Hijab and public life: The Qur’an commands modesty in dress and be­haviour (Qur’an 24:31), but modesty is not intended as a barrier to education, professional careers, or community engagement. Many scholars emphasise that hijab symbolises dignity, identity, and moral consciousness rather than exclusion from public life (Cooke, 2004).

Women as homemakers only: While the role of a homemaker is deeply re­spected, Islam does not confine women to domestic spaces. Khadijah (RA), the Prophet’s first wife, was a prominent entrepreneur, and historical records show women in Medina engaging in trade and agriculture without restric­tion (Haddad & Esposito, 1998).

Economic dependency: Economic hardship makes exclusive dependency unrealistic. Islam permits women to work and support families, especially in cases of widowhood or financial strain (Qur’an 4:32).

By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author

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 Throughout His ministry, Jesus modeled perfect discernment. He confronted false teaching with truth (Matthew 22:29), He discerned the motives of those around Him (Luke 5:22), and He resisted the devil’s temptations by anchoring Himself in Scripture (Matthew 4:1–11).

When faced with flattery or traps from the Pharisees, Jesus was never deceived. He saw beyond words to the intentions of the heart. His exam­ple shows us that discernment is not merely intellectual but spiritual — it is empowered by the Holy Spirit.

As His followers, we are called to walk in the same wisdom. Philippians 1:9–10 captures this prayer beautifully: “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowl­edge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” (NIV)

How to live with discernment

So how do we practice discernment in our daily lives? Scripture provides practical steps:

• Renew your mind in God’s word

Just as Jesus countered temptation with Scripture, we too must fill our hearts with God’s truth. Daily reading and meditation anchor us in what is eternal.

• Guard what enters your heart

Proverbs 4:23 warns: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (NIV) Be intentional about what you read, watch, and listen to.

• Seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance

Discernment is not only mental; it is spiritual. Romans 8:14 reminds us: “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” Ask the Spirit to reveal truth and expose deception.

• Evaluate the fruit

Jesus taught us to recognise people and ideas by their fruit (Matthew 7:16). Ask: Will this produce holiness, peace, and love in my life, or will it lead to sin, compromise, and confusion?

• Walk in community

God often uses other believers to sharpen us. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Surround yourself with people who love truth and can lovingly challenge you when needed.

Illustrations of discernment

Think of Daniel in Babylon. Sur­rounded by a culture hostile to his faith, he discerned what to reject and what to accept. He refused the king’s food that violated God’s law (Daniel 1:8), yet he willingly studied Babylonian wisdom, using it to serve with excellence while remaining faithful to God. That balance is dis­cernment in action.

Or consider the Bereans in Acts 17:11. They were commended because they “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Their discernment was not suspicion but a sincere desire to confirm truth through God’s Word.

Conclusion

To live like Jesus is to live with dis­cernment. It is to resist the temptation of simply going along with the crowd and instead anchor every decision, thought, and influence in the truth of God’s Word.

Discernment protects us from decep­tion, equips us to live faithfully, and enables us to shine as lights in a dark world. As Paul wrote: “Test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:21–22 (ESV)

Let us, therefore, make it our prayer to be discerning people — wise, Spirit-led, and anchored in Scripture. In doing so, we will live not just as be­lievers in name, but as true followers of Jesus, reflecting His life in a world desperately in need of His light.

• Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee,
  the author

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