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The Muslim Family #3
The Fragile Vessels: Rights & Obligations between the Spouses in Islam
Third in the Muslim Family Series, this book covers the obligations of the two spouses, the wife’s rights, and the husband’s rights. It contains biographies of the Mothers of the Believers, paints very realistic pictures from the life of the Prophet (S) with his wives, and presents a complete discussion of the hadeeth of Umm Zar‘.
- GenresIslamMarriageNonfiction
164 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 13, 2024
"Allah's Messenger ﷺ used his over garment to cover me as I watched. I stood behind him, my chin on his shoulder, and my face against his. He waited patiently until I satisfied my curiosity and wanted to leave. So you should understand a young girl's need (for play)."
By Allah, my heart is overfilled with love for Rasulullah ﷺ after reading this book. How could it not? I am writing this and my heart is aching in my chest, my face hurts from smiling, my eyes are blurry with tears. Rasulullah was perfect; he was so perfect, the epitome of perfection wAllahi. I know this book was supposed to be a lesson on the rights between spouses but it made me fall more in love with our beloved Messenger and his wives and his sahabah. They feel so real to me, so human. I almost hate myself for reading this, because now I achingly long for the companionship of people I cannot meet in this life, and maybe not in the afterlife, though I hope I do.
I sincerely advise every single muslimah to read this book. We need to understand how serious the right of the husband is—it is no small thing. All those ahadith, all those lessons from the wives of Rasulullah...they're terrifying. It is a heavy right on our shoulders that Allah will question us about. You don't have to be getting married to read this. In fact, I would highly advise all my sisters to read this prior to marriage, to see if you are even ready to be married. If you find that you are still stubborn, still holding some feministic ideologies, still prideful, then you are not ready to be married.
Marriage is filled with affection and mercy, yes, but it is also filled with sacrifice, with taming your pride, with holding your anger, with compromise, with contentment, with building respect and trust, with extreme hard work. Most of all, marriage is filled with accountability. Do not focus on whether your rights are being fulfilled or not, focus on whether you are fulfilling his rights—Allah will question you about what you did, not what your spouse did. They will have their own standing in front of Allah, their own trial.
This is a book you will revisit again and again over the course of your marriage. May Allah reward the author so fully and greatly. I will never forget this book, in sha Allah. Alhamdulillah
By Allah, my heart is overfilled with love for Rasulullah ﷺ after reading this book. How could it not? I am writing this and my heart is aching in my chest, my face hurts from smiling, my eyes are blurry with tears. Rasulullah was perfect; he was so perfect, the epitome of perfection wAllahi. I know this book was supposed to be a lesson on the rights between spouses but it made me fall more in love with our beloved Messenger and his wives and his sahabah. They feel so real to me, so human. I almost hate myself for reading this, because now I achingly long for the companionship of people I cannot meet in this life, and maybe not in the afterlife, though I hope I do.
I sincerely advise every single muslimah to read this book. We need to understand how serious the right of the husband is—it is no small thing. All those ahadith, all those lessons from the wives of Rasulullah...they're terrifying. It is a heavy right on our shoulders that Allah will question us about. You don't have to be getting married to read this. In fact, I would highly advise all my sisters to read this prior to marriage, to see if you are even ready to be married. If you find that you are still stubborn, still holding some feministic ideologies, still prideful, then you are not ready to be married.
Marriage is filled with affection and mercy, yes, but it is also filled with sacrifice, with taming your pride, with holding your anger, with compromise, with contentment, with building respect and trust, with extreme hard work. Most of all, marriage is filled with accountability. Do not focus on whether your rights are being fulfilled or not, focus on whether you are fulfilling his rights—Allah will question you about what you did, not what your spouse did. They will have their own standing in front of Allah, their own trial.
This is a book you will revisit again and again over the course of your marriage. May Allah reward the author so fully and greatly. I will never forget this book, in sha Allah. Alhamdulillah
October 12, 2012
The author described the rights & obligations between spouses in much detailed description. The book is considered of fulfilling the gap of the wife's rights since most books always stressed on husband's rights but little emphasize on wife's rights. Somehow, the book struck deep and strengthen the concept that husband & wife complete each other
June 6, 2011
If this title and the concept behind it make you squeamish--don't be. Excellent read. Now what to do with all these gems...hmmm...
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August 11, 2012brilliant
August 18, 2012
This one was good, gives great insight into how wives should be treated and cared for in Islam. For more, see my review of Our Precious Sprouts.
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February 23, 2019An excellent MUST READ book to all the Muslim men and women.
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January 17, 2025The Fragile Vessels - Rights and Obligations between the Spouses in Islam.
Al-Jibaly neatly describes the duties and rights in an Islamic contract marriage while exploring the historical obligations of the Prophet's multiple wives.
Islamic contract marriage consistently emphasizes the husband's rights in connection to the obligations of the wife (wives). The key quote starts with this: "Marriage is a bond held together by mutual rights and responsibilities for each of the two spouses. It is a partnership between them, and they are both required to play an active role in that partnership."((The Fragile Vessels - Rights and Obligations between the Spouses in Islam, Arlington: al-Kitaab & as-Sunnah, 2005, 1.)) Islamic marriage is a contractual bond based on rights and obligations, not promises or unconditional vows.
In his four books on marriage, this one is lesser known but his series is the best for western Muslim couples.
Al-Jibaly neatly describes the duties and rights in an Islamic contract marriage while exploring the historical obligations of the Prophet's multiple wives.
Islamic contract marriage consistently emphasizes the husband's rights in connection to the obligations of the wife (wives). The key quote starts with this: "Marriage is a bond held together by mutual rights and responsibilities for each of the two spouses. It is a partnership between them, and they are both required to play an active role in that partnership."((The Fragile Vessels - Rights and Obligations between the Spouses in Islam, Arlington: al-Kitaab & as-Sunnah, 2005, 1.)) Islamic marriage is a contractual bond based on rights and obligations, not promises or unconditional vows.
In his four books on marriage, this one is lesser known but his series is the best for western Muslim couples.
August 29, 2023
I think because of the mazhab is different compared to the one in Malaysia, the approach is also quite different. I would not recommend this book. But, if anyone is reading this, they need to keep an open mind and they need to seek more information via other channel if they have any doubts.
July 22, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews