A COMPLAINT OF FRAGILITY

Once a lady approached Hazrat Umar Ibn Khataab and she said, “Oh Commander of the faithful by day my husband fasts and by night he is diligent in prayer, thus I feel inadequate to complain of him as he is engaged in the obedience of the Almighty.”

Hazrat Umar replied, “What a pious man your husband is.”

The complaining lady repeated her complaint, in reply Hazrat Umar 
repeated the above reply.

Kaab-e-asadi  said unto Hazrat Umar ,

“Oh Commander of the faithful, this lady is complaining of her husband due to
the fact that her husband remains distant from her bed.”

Hazrat Umar  replied, “just as you have understood her intentions I feel
you should resolve her problems.”

Kaab  said, “Beckon your husband to me,” and so he came forth. Hazrat
Kaab  said unto her husband, “Your wife is complaining of you.” Her
husband asked if she was complaining of the shortage in food or drink.
Hazrat Kaab replied, “No.”
The lady said,
“Oh Chief Justice whose guidance is of great wisdom,
His place of worship has busied him; my beloved from my chamber.
Negligent is he unto my bed, the very works of his Ibadaah.
Hence, Oh Kaab  make a decision, for he is indifferent be it day or night.
His days and nights pass without sleep. Hence, I find he is not praise worthy within womanly affairs.”
The lady’s husband replied:
“What has made me lose interest in sharing a bed within her bridal chamber, I am such who has been made to forget due to that which has been revealed.
In the Surah Al Nahal and seven other lengthily Surahs. Also the freighting, alarming Surahs of the Holy Quran.”
Upon hearing the above Kaab  states,
“Surely you have to fulfil her rights too. Her rights fall within four days for he who understands.
Hence, leave your excuses and bestow her with her rights.”

He continues, “Verily, Allah Ta’ala has allowed two, three or four woman.
Thus for you are three days and nights for Ibadaah.”
Having heard this Hazrat Umar  proclaimed, “I swear by Allah that I am  confused as to whether the fact that you were able to instantly recognise the  true intent of the complaining wife is more astounding than your flair and  approach in resolving this matter is unknown to me.

Be on your way, I announce  you the Governor of Basra as from today.”
(Tafseer-e-Kurtubi)

inter-islam.Tafseer-e-Kurtubi