Free Fridays: Comfort.

9 January 2026

I already know.

When Fadza comes back from pickleball and gives me a nervous smile.

“You hurt yourself, didn’t you?” I say, unamused.

“Twisted my ankle, but it wasn’t my fault,” he’ll say, as he points to where he got injured.

“Ha, see! I told you not to do too much pickleball,” I reply, followed by some other lecture he won’t be too thrilled to hear.

I always worry when he does too much sports. Whether it’s a marathon or Ironman or cycling or most recently pickleball, I worry if he twists something or fractures something or worse, breaks a bone or two. Ishhhh.

I guess I love the guy.

Then I learned about how Khadijah r.a., the Prophet’s wife comforted him.

It left me red-faced with guilt.

For my non Muslim readers, FYI: us Muslims look at Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.’s life as an example on how we should live our lives. There are lotssss of wisdom and guidance shown through his life story. From how he eats (right hand, always in moderation, never wasting) to how he drinks (always while sitting down) to treating others to how even his wife and companions live too.

Since I’m a woman, naturally I’m curious about the women of that time to see how they lived their life.

One night, Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. came back from receiving his first ever revelation (which was to instruct Muslims to read/learn). He was distressed, scared, shaking out of fear, and he ran from the cave, back to his wife Khadijah r.a. for comfort. “Cover me! Cover me!” he said to her. She covered him with a blanket/cloak.

Showing her all his vulnerabilities, he said “I feared for myself.”

And you know how Khadijah r.a. responded?

First, she said “No, Allah will never disgrace you.” So with conviction, she restored confidence back in him.

Then, she did something that I was just like whoaaaaa.

She continue to list down all of her husband’s good qualities.

She said to him, “You keep good relations with your family, you speak the truth, you help the poor and needy, you entertain your guests generously and you assist those who are stricken with calamities.”

Basically, the OPPOSITE of “I told you not to go to that cave right?!”

What.

A.

Woman.

It reminded me that spouses, both husband and wife, should be a source of comfort and love and gentleness to one another. When one is down, the other should not just comfort but uplift too. And the words we use matter.

Pickleball injury vs receiving divine revelation... not quite the same thing.

VERY VERY DIFFERENT.

But I’d still like to extract the wisdom in Khadijah r.a. on how to be an amazing wife, in all areas of my life with Fadza.

I cleared my throat and practised.

The next time Fadza comes back with a pickleball injury, I already know what to say.

“You are a good person. You are honest, you are hardworking and you are kind to others....”

Omg he’s going to be so confused. If not, scared. 😅

But basically, my response will no longer be “I told you don’t play so much pickleball! You see what happened?!”

I’ll kindly go get the ice pack and towel, and hold back my tongue on the naggings. #wesavethatforlater #afterheheals

In all situations, when our spouse needs comfort in us, give them exactly that. What an honour it is that our spouse looks for us first whenever they need comfort, and not other people. May we continue to be the source of goodness to one another, fellow husbands and wives. 🤍

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Before you go…

Let me know you’ve read this. Tag your spouse, on my latest post at @sincerelyvivy.

See you there! :)