The Qur’ān’s Gentle Address to Women: A Lesson in Emotional Care

One of the striking patterns in the Noble Qur’ān is the way Allah addresses women—so often with words of reassurance, comfort, and emotional care. When women are spoken to or about, the phrases “Do not grieve,” “Do not be sad,” or “Do not be anxious” appear repeatedly. This is not merely linguistic; it carries a profound message about the divine recognition of women’s emotional depth and the importance of nurturing their hearts.

A Divine Pattern of Comfort

Throughout the Qur’ān, Allah reassures women in moments of hardship:

• To the mother of Musa (AS):

“Do not grieve, do not fear. Indeed, We will return him to you and make him one of the messengers.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:7)

• To Maryam (AS):

“Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream.” (Surah Maryam 19:24)

• To the wives of the Prophet ﷺ:

Allah commands the Prophet ﷺ to speak to them with kindness and grant them a choice regarding their future (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:28-29), respecting their emotions and agency.

These verses highlight that Allah, in His infinite mercy, acknowledges the emotional struggles that women go through and offers them words of comfort before addressing the situation itself. It is as though Allah is reminding them that their emotional well-being matters before anything else.

Just as the Qur’ān emphasises emotional care for women, this serves as an example for men in how they should interact with the women in their lives—whether as husbands, fathers, brothers, or sons.

1. Prioritise Emotional Sensitivity:

• The Qur’ān repeatedly reassures women, showing that their emotions should never be dismissed as “too much” or “unimportant.” Men should recognise and respect the emotional depth of women and respond with patience, gentleness, and understanding.

2. Be Mindful of Words and Actions:

• If Allah, in His divine speech, takes care to comfort women first, how much more should men be careful with their words? The way a man speaks to his wife, daughter, sister, or mother should uplift rather than wound.

3. Make Women Feel Valued and Secure:

• The Prophet ﷺ was the best example of this. He never belittled his wives’ emotions but instead listened to them, reassured them, and showed them kindness, even in disagreements.

• The Hadith beautifully captures this:

“The best of you are those who are best to their wives.” (Tirmidhi)

• Why? Because a man’s true character is reflected in how he treats the women in his life—not just in grand gestures, but in daily kindness, patience, and emotional care.

The Greatest Strength is in Gentleness

Some mistakenly believe that strength means being emotionally detached or dismissive. But in reality, the strongest man is the one who can understand and support a woman’s heart, just as the Qur’ān teaches.

• It is not weakness to console.

• It is not weakness to listen.

• It is not weakness to care deeply.

Instead, it is true strength—because love and mercy are the foundation of a believer’s character.

For women, these verses serve as a reminder that Allah sees your struggles, acknowledges your emotions, and reassures you that He is always near. You are not alone in your pain or sorrow—His words are there to lift your heart.

For men, this is a divine guideline on how to treat the women in their lives. If Allah, in all His majesty, speaks to women with comfort, love, and reassurance, then how can men do any less?

In every interaction, let there be rahmah (mercy), let there be gentleness, and let there be care. Because when a woman’s heart is at peace, the entire home is at peace.