Protective Jealousy (Ghirah)
Definition:
Ghira: This arabic word covers a wide meaning – self-respect, jealousy (as regards women) and it is a feeling of fury with great anger when one’s honour and prestige is challenged or injured.
In Sahih Bukhari, Book 62, (Chapter on Nikah), Chapter 30 it says:
CHAPTER 30: The Ghira (i.e., honour, prestige or self-respect)
[Sa’d ibn ubaada said: “If i saw a man with my wife I would strike him with the sharp edge of the sword.” The prophet (SAW) said (to his companions); “Are you ashtonished by Sa’d’s (Ghira) sense of honour? (By Allaah) I have a greater sense of Ghira than he has, and Allaah has still more greater sense of Ghira than I have.“]
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Masud:
The Prophet, said, “There is none having a greater sense of Ghira than Allah. And for that He has forbidden the doing of evil actions (illegal sexual intercourse etc.) There is none who likes to be praised more than Allah does.” [B150]
Narrated Asma’ bint Abu Bakr:
When Az-Zubair married me, he had no real property or any slave or anything else except a camel which drew water from the well, and his horse. I used to feed his horse with fodder and drew water and sew the bucket for drawing it, and prepare the dough, but I did not know how to bake bread. So our Ansari neighbors used to bake bread for me, and they were honorable ladies. I used to carry the date stones on my head from Zubair’s land given to him by Allah’s Apostle and this land was two third Farsakh (about two miles) from my house. One day, while I was coming with the date stones on my head, I met Allah’s Apostle along with some Ansari people. He called me and then, (directing his camel to kneel down) said, “Ikh! Ikh!” so as to make me ride behind him (on his camel). I felt shy to travel with the men and remembered Az-Zubair and his sense of Ghira, as he was one of those people who had the greatest sense of Ghira. Allah’s Apostle noticed that I felt shy, so he proceeded. I came to Az-Zubair and said, “I met Allah’s Apostle while I was carrying a load of date stones on my head, and he had some companions with him. He made his camel kneel down so that I might ride, but I felt shy in his presence and remembered your sense of Ghira (See the glossary).” On that Az-Zubair said, “By Allah, your carrying the date stones (and you being seen by the Prophet in such a state) is more shameful to me than your riding with him.” (I continued serving in this way) till Abu Bakr sent me a servant to look after the horse, whereupon I felt as if he had set me free. [B151]
Narrated Jabir:
The Prophet, said, “I entered Paradise and saw a palace and asked whose palace is this? They (the Angels) said, “This palace belongs to ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab.’ I intended to enter it, and nothing stopped me except my knowledge about your sense of Ghira (self-respect (O Umar).” ‘Umar said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Let my father and mother be sacrificed for you! O Allah’s Prophet! How dare I think of my Ghira (self-respect) being offended by you?” [B153]
CHAPTER 31: The jealousy of women and their anger
Narrated ‘Aisha’:
Allaah’s messenger said to me:
The Authentic Base 