The rights of husband and wife in Islam

All praise is for Allah alone, may peace and blessings upon the final prophet Mohammad.

To proceed: 

There are many rights concerning husband and wife[1] in Islam as follows:

A husband has the right of ultimate authority of the home management since he is responsible for them and he is accountable for all aspects of their maintenance. His leadership should be with justice, patience and wisdom. As Allah says in the Glorious Qur'an:

(Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means.)  (4:34)

One reason among many for this degree of responsibility is that men are generally stronger and rational whereas women are generally weaker and more emotional, traits given to them by their Creator to serve their complementary roles in life and in the family. A wife is required to obey the commands and instructions of her husband as long as these do not involve any act of disobedience to Allah’s command and the Prophet’s instructions. Aishah, the wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him) questioned him:

“Whose right is the greatest on a woman? He (peace be upon him) replied, ‘A woman’s husband’s.’ The Messenger (peace be upon him) was asked: ‘whose right is the greatest on a man? ‘ He (peace be upon him) replied, ‘His mother’s.” [2]

A wife must not demand from her husband things that he cannot afford, that he is not capable to produce, or tasks beyond his ability.

 A wife is required to protect the children and raising  them up through the Islamic education principles and  she should use the lineage of her husband wisely , the wife used to protect herself and being completely chaste.

She should be a trustworthy guardian of his wealth.

She should not leave her husband’s home without his prior knowledge and approval, nor allow any person who her husband dislikes to enter his home. This is to protect the honor and harmony of the family, as instructed by the Messenger of Allah Almighty:

“The best of women is the one, who, if you look at her you will be pleased with her, if you command her [to perform any lawful action] she will obey you, and if you are absent she will protect and preserve your wealth and lineage.”[3]

The rights of wives concerning their husbands are many and may be summarized as follows:

Dowry: A wife is entitled to receive a dowry from her husband which a marriage contract is void without it. The dowry is not to be forfeited but after the completion of a marriage contract she may forfeit her right as Allah (Almighty) says in the Glorious Qur'an:

(And give to the women (whom you marry) their Mahr (dowry) with a good heart, but if they, of their own good will, remit any part of it to you, take it, and enjoy it without fear of any harm (as Allah has made it lawful).) (4:4)

Financial Support: A husband is required to provide, within his means and limits, all essential and basic requirements of his wife , children and entire household. Allah, the Exalted, says in the Glorious Qur'an:

(Let the man of means spend according to his means and the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what Allah has given him. Allah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him. After a difficulty, Allah will soon grant relief.)  (65:7)

To encourage generosity towards the wives, Islam has named this financial support as charity which is rewarded greatly by Allah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to Sa’ad ibn Abi Waqas:

“No amount you spend on your family seeking reward from Allah but that He will reward you even if it is a bite of food that you put in your wife’s mouth”[4]

A wife has a right to take a reasonably required amount from her husband’s property for herself and her children without her husband’s knowledge if he spends miserly on them according to the hadith wherein Hind bint ‘Utbah said:  O Messenger of Allah: verily Abu Sufyan is a miser and doesn’t give me enough for myself and my child except what I take from his wealth without his knowledge, so he (peace be upon him) said:

“Take what is reasonably enough for you and your son”[5].

Companionship and intimate relationship: One of the most important rights of a wife is to secure from her husband a satisfactory level of intimate relationship and a fair amount of time with him. This right of the wife  and family members must be fully maintained since a wife needs an affectionate husband to take care of her and fulfill her basic needs. As related by Jabir when the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to Jabir: “Did you marry O, Jabir?” I said: Yes. He said: “Virgin or matron (i.e. woman previously married)?” I said: a matron. He said: “Why didn’t you marry a virgin so that you could play with her and she could play with you or you make her laugh and she makes you laugh”?[6]

 Protection of all the secrets of the wife: A husband must not disclose any of his wife’s deficiencies or shortcomings, keeping all what he sees and hears from his wife as a secret that should not ever be disclosed. The intimate relationship between a husband and wife in Islam is cherished and protected. Marital relationships are sacred relationships according to Islam, as we read in the instructions of Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him): 

“One of the worst positions in the sight of Allah on the Day of Requital is that of a man who will have an intimate relationship with his wife, and then spread the secrets of his spouse to the public.”[7]

Equality and Fairness: The husband who is married to more than one wife must provide equally to all of his wives, offering them the same or comparable housing conditions and clothing. He is to spend equal time with each one of them. Any injustice in this regard is strictly prohibited as the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

“He who has two wives and does not treat them both equally will appear on the Day of Requital while he is half paralyzed.”[8]

Fair and kind treatment: A husband must extend just treatment to his wife and household. A husband must demonstrate care, kindness and solve any problem within his means, while forbearing the deficiencies and shortcomings of his wife seeking the Pleasure of Allah (Almighty) in both worlds. A husband should consult with his wife concerning their life and future needs and plans. He is required to secure and provide for his wife and household all means of a peaceful environment at home and outside. The Messenger (peace be upon him) of Allah said:

“Those believers who have the most complete faith who possess the best of character, and the best among you are those who are the best to their wives.”[9]

Protection and Preservation: By all the abilities available, a husband must not place or expose his wife or family members to any immoral situation or evil environment. This is based on the instructions of the verse of the Glorious Qur'an,:

(O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who flinch not (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah, but do (precisely) what they are commanded.)  (66:6)

He must protect the private wealth and property of his wife and must not use any of her personal funds or possessions without her prior approval. He must not engage in any transaction concerning his wife's finances, without her consent.

At length, there is no legeslation gave accurate rights to husband and wife respecting the  nature , the deferences , and the ablities of both of them exept Islam because it is divine relgion comes from Allah the Almighty who knows what rferom the slave's matters in wordly life and the hereafter.