Are you worthy of being a partner?

A man asked a woman he was pursuing this question:

'What kind of man are you looking for?'

She sat quietly for a moment before looking him in the eye and asked;

'Do you really want to know?'

Reluctantly.. he said : 'Yes.'

She began to expound… :

'As a woman.. I am in a position to ask a man what he can do for me that I can’t do for myself. I pay my own bills. I take care of my household without the help of any man…or woman for that matter. I am in the position to ask, ‘What can you bring to the table?’”

The man looked at her. Clearly he thought that she was referring to money.

She quickly corrected his thought and stated : “I am not referring to money but something more. I need a man who fears Allaah ta'ala first and foremost..who is practicing...striving...knowledgeable...and respectful..of women..

She said : “I am looking for someone who is also striving for perfection mentally because I need conversation and mental stimulation..not a simple-minded man. I am looking for someone who is striving for perfection spiritually because I don’t need to be unequally yoked… believers mixing with unbelievers is a recipe for disaster. I need a man who is striving for perfection financially because I don’t need a financial burden...but I don't mean rich or greed. I am looking for someone who is sensitive enough to understand what I go through as a woman.. but strong enough to keep me grounded. I am looking for someone who I can respect. In order to be submissive.. I must respect him and I cannot be submissive to a man who isn’t taking care of his business. I have no problem being submissive… he just has to be worthy. Allaah made woman to be a helpmate for man. I can’t help a man if he can’t help himself.'

When she finished..she looked at him as he sat with a puzzled look on his face. He said : 'You’re asking a lot.'

She replied: 'I’m worth it'

Taken from Sr. Zikra Maryam