Every One of You Will Be Questioned About His or Her Flock

Last updated on March 3rd, 2025 at 05:46 am

(by Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Rahmatullahi Alaih)

 Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Every one of you is a shepherd, and every one of you will be questioned about his or her flock.”

This is a Hadeeth – a statement of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Something very important is mentioned in it. Some responsibilities of a woman are mentioned in it, that is responsibilities pertaining to the home, as a man’s home is generally left in the wife’s control. It is, therefore, necessary for women to know the Ahkaam of the Shariah in this regard.

In this Hadeeth, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) firstly mentioned a universal principle briefly, then he expounded on it with some particulars. The universal principle which he stated in brief is that everyone has control over something and responsible for it, and everyone will be questioned about that which was left in his or her care.

Thereafter, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) went on to explain further, and among the things he said was: “A woman is a shepherd over the home of her husband and his children, and she will be questioned about them.”

In other words, the husband’s home is in the care of the wife, and she has been given control over his children. She will be questioned: How have you looked after your husband’s home and his children?

This point is mentioned in the Qur’aan Shareef in brief, whilst in the Hadeeth Shareef it is stated in brief and in detail.

In the Qur’aan, Allah Ta’ala says: “O Those who have Imaan! Save yourselves and your family from the Fire!”

In “O Those who have Imaan,” women are also included. Thus, it is also necessary for women to save their husbands and their children from the Fire of Jahannam and strive to stop them from violations of the Shariat.

(Huqooqul Bait)

(To be continued, Insha Allah)