Swallows of Kabul Chapter Two

In chapter two Atiq starts to become fed up with his job as a jailer and he starts to doubts the promises of his mullah. His body is becoming very worn down and the darkness of his employment is taking root in his soul. Atiq is also feeling really bad for his wife and the condition she is in and hopes that a miracle will happen since the doctors have said they can do no more. He is thinking about this while he in the street of the market place. This thought bothers him so much that he is almost struck by a horse and buggy going down the street. Then he meets up with his childhood friend Mirza Shah. Mirza can sense that something is bothering Atiq and asks him what it is. At first Atiq is does not want to tell him but then later gives in. When Mirza hears that a woman is the cause of all his pain he tells Atiq that he should not let a woman he owes nothing to be the cause of it.
I believe that it is wrong for Mirza to put Atiq down for having real feelings for his wife just because he did not end up in a marriage were he had an actual connection to one of his. It seems to me that Mirza does not have any respect for women at all because he says that men give them a roof, protection, honor and a name. This just shows how much different their customs are from ours over here and in other countries.