Women's World

A wife expects her husband to express his love towards her and respect her. In many Muslim homes, the husband’s anger makes the home a burning hell.


Be Loving towards the Wife

A woman is a centre of kindness and is emotional. Her existence depends on compassion and affection. This character is so strong in her that if she realises nobody loves her, then she regards herself as a failure. The secret of a successful man in a happy marital life is his expression of love towards his wife. A house in which there is no affection, resembles a burning hell, even though it may be very tidy and full of luxurious goods. The wife may become ill or have a nervous breakdown. She may seek popularity with others if she is not satisfied with her husband. She may grow so cold towards him and the house that she may even seek a divorce. In 1969, out of a total of 10,372 separations, 1203 women expressed the reason for their divorce as losing heart in life, feeling worthless and the lack of care of their husband. A woman said in court that she was prepared to abandon her dowry and even pay her husband a sum of money to make him agree to a divorce. She said her husband was more interested in his pet parrots and that was why she did not want to live with him any longer.


Respect the Wife

A woman is proud of herself just the same as a man would be. She likes to be respected by others. She would get hurt if she is insulted or belittled. She feels good when respected and would hate those who try to degrade her. The wife surely expects her husband to respect her more than others. A woman, around 35 years of age, says about her divorce request: “It is 12 years that I have been married. My husband is a good man and there are many characteristics of a good and amiable person in him. But he has never realised that I am his wife and the mother of his children. He thinks he is a fit person for social occasions, but he performs his show by teasing and humiliating me. You cannot believe how much I have been hurt. My nerves have been affected so much that I have to go to a psychiatrist for treatment. I have talked to my husband about it many times. I have begged him not to treat me in this way. I have reminded him of my position as his wife and my age and that it is not proper for him to joke with me in front of others so that they have a laugh or a good time. I feel embarrassed in front of everybody and because I have never ever been a witty person. I cannot compete with him. I prefer to separate from him. I know I will not be happy on my own, but I cannot live with a man who constantly degrades me.”


Be Well-Mannered

The running of this world is not in our hands and the events of this world do not occur according to our will. From the moment that one sets foot outside his house in the morning until the time he returns home in the evening, one may be confronted with hundreds of unpleasant circumstances. One comes across a great many difficulties in the arena of life. The man might be insulted by someone, has an unfriendly colleague, has to wait for the bus too long, has been accused of something at work, has lost some money, or has been robbed. The husband might be so frustrated with the usual everyday events of his life that he resembles a time bomb which could explode any time.


So he thinks he can blame his wife and children at home and vents his anger out on them. The children disperse like little mice as soon as their father enters the house.


If the children are able to run away from home into the streets, they would do so and if they cannot do that, then they count the seconds until their father leaves the house.


It is patently obvious what an apathetic and horrific atmosphere is dominant in families of this kind. There are always rows and arguments. Their house is always in a mess. The wife hates to see her husband’s face. How can a woman live happily with a grim and bad-tempered man? The husband should learn to handle his problems with a cool mind and not blame his wife and children. A home will be heaven if the husband comes home with a smiling face.

Lifestyle adjustments can help women reduce or manage the signs and symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome.


Mood swings, a swollen abdomen, food cravings, fatigue, irritability and depression. If you experience some or all of these problems in the days before your monthly period, you may have pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). An estimated three of every four menstruating women experience some form of pre-menstrual syndrome. These problems are more likely to trouble women between their late 20s and early 40s, and they tend to recur in a predictable pattern. Yet the physical and emotional changes you experience with pre-menstrual syndrome may be more or less intense with each menstrual cycle.


Still, you don’t have to let these problems control your life. In recent years, much has been learnt about pre-menstrual syndrome. Lifestyle adjustments can help you reduce or manage the signs and symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome.


Exactly what causes pre-menstrual syndrome is unknown, but several factors may contribute to the condition. Cyclic changes in hormones seem to be an important cause, because signs and symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome change with hormonal fluctuations and also disappear with pregnancy and menopause.


Chemical changes in the brain also may be involved. One clue to the cause may be traced to fluctuations of serotonin, a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) that is thought to play a crucial role in mood states, especially depression. Insufficient amounts of serotonin may contribute to other symptoms of PMS, such as fatigue, food cravings and sleep problems.


Self- Care

You can manage or sometimes reduce the symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome by making changes in the way you eat, exercise and approach daily life. Try these approaches:


• Modify your diet

• Eat smaller, more frequent meals each day to reduce bloating and the sensation of fullness.

• Limit salty foods to reduce bloating and fluid retention.

• Choose foods high in complex carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

• Choose foods rich in calcium. If you cannot tolerate dairy products or are not getting adequate calcium in your diet, you may need a daily calcium supplement.

• Take a daily multi-vitamin supplement.

• Avoid caffeine.

• Engage in brisk walking most days of the week. Regular daily exercise can help improve your overall health and alleviate symptoms such as fatigue and a depressed mood.

• Get plenty of sleep.

• Practice progressive muscle relaxation or deep-breathing exercises to help reduce headaches, anxiety or trouble sleeping (insomnia).


Record your symptoms for a few months

Keep a record to identify the triggers and timing of your symptoms. This will allow you to intervene with strategies that may help to lessen them.

It should be noted that a product being imported from a Muslim country is not necessarily a guarantee that it is completely Halal. In fact, food is often imported from abroad into Muslim countries without proper checking of ingredients. The list here has been taken from the book, ‘Islamic Dietary Laws and Practices’ by Mohammad Mazhar Hussaini and M. S. Ahmad Hussein Sakr.


A Definition Guide

A list of Halal and Haram ingredients to look out for:

Bacon: A side of pig meat (pork).

Cholestorol: type of fat always of animal origin. If extracted from Zabiha animal, it is Halal.

Diglyceride: Emulsifier. If of animal origin it should be suspected till the source is known.

Gelatin (Jello Gelatin): Usually of animal origin, mostly from pig. If extracted from a Zabiha animal, then it is halal.

Glycerol (Glycerine): It could be of animal, plant or Glyceryl-Stearate synthetic origin. If animal source is used, it is suspected.

Hormones: Usually animal hormones are used for human consumption. One has to find out the source before passing a judgement.

Lard: Fat from swine found in the abdominal cavity. Totally Haram.

Magnesium Stearate (stearic acid): Used as an active ingredient in medicines.

Pepsin: A digestive enzyme mostly from pig stomach.

Rennin (Rennet): A protein Enzyme. Usually found in cheese.

Shortening: Fats and oils of animal origin. Animal/Lard

Vitamins: Haram when from animal source. Mostly the source is synthetic or plant and is Halal.

Whey: Used in ice creams and yogurt. Haram when from animal source.


A Partial List of Halal Ingredients

Antioxidants: Chemical compounds used to protect certain food components from being destroyed or lost through oxidation.

Ascorbic acid: Vitamin C.

Benzoate (Benzoic acid): Benzoic acid and sodium benzoate are used for food preservation.

Biotin: A member of the B complex vitamins.

BHA: An antioxidant, preservative.

BHT: An antioxidant, preservative.

Citric acid: Sources are plant, usually of the citrus family. (e.g. orange, lime, lemon).

Cobalamine: Synthetically prepared Vitamin B12.

Dextrin: An emulsifying, sizing, and thickening agent.

Fiber: Sources are plant. Provide roughage to diet.

Fructose: Fruit sugar.

Gliadin (Gluten): Protein found in wheat and rye.

Hydrogenated oil: Vegetable oil being hydrogenated making it solid at room temperature.

Iodine: A nutrient for thyroid gland.

Lecithin: Emulsifier of fat. In the USA, sources are mainly soyabean and egg yolk.

Lipids : Essential fatty acids found in fish, plant and animals. If source is animal; it is suspected.

Malt: A kind of fermented grain.

Molasses: Syrup liquid obtained in refining sugar.

MSG: Flavouring. Imparts meat flavour to foods.

Niacin: One of the B complex vitamins.

PABA: A food supplement.

Pectin: A gelatinous substance extracted from fruits.

Propionic acid: A preservative.

Riboflavin: One of the B complex vitamins. Usually the source is synthetic.

Pure vegetable shortening: Source of this kind of shortening is plant.

100% vegetable shortening: Source of this kind of shortening is plant.

Sweetener: Substance that gives a sweet taste.

Thiamin: One of the B complex vitamins.

Vitamin A: If source is plant and synthetic, it is halal.

Vitamin C: Natural sources are from plant. (e.g. citrus fruit, tomatoes, etc).

Vitamin D: Natural sources are yeast and fish liver oil. Also synthetically produced.

Vitamin E: Rich sources of Vitamin E are vegetable oils. When source is synthetic, it is halal. If source is animal, it is suspected.

Water: The nutrient most vital to man’s existence.

Food yeast: Microscopic, unicellular, fungal plant used for fermentation process and in baking bread.


(Contributed by Shahnawaz Torania. toranias@virconn.com)