Monday, July 22, 2013

The Husband’s Rights Over His Wife

The rights of the husband over his wife are among the greatest rights; indeed his rights over her are greater than her rights over him, because Allah says,

Parrots"And they (women) have rights (over their husbands as regards living expenses) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and respect) to what is reasonable, but men have a degree (of responsibility) over them" (al-Baqarah 2:228)
 

Al-Jassaas said,

"Allah tells us in this aayah that each of the spouses has rights over the other, and that the husband has one particular right over his wife which she does not have over him."
These rights include:

1. The obligation of obedience.

Allaah has made the man a qawwaam (protector and maintainer) of the woman by commanding, directing and taking care of her, just as guardians take care of their charges, by virtue of the physical and mental faculties that Allaah has given only to men and the financial obligations that He has enjoined upon them. Allah says,
 

"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" (al-Nisaa’ 4:34)

 ‘Ali ibn Abi Talhah said, narrating from Ibn ‘Abbaas,


"Men are the protectors and maintainers of women" means, they are in charge of them, i.e., she should obey him in matters of obedience that Allah has enjoined upon her, and obey him by treating his family well and taking care of his wealth. (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 1/492)
 

2. Making herself available to her husband.

One of the rights that the husband has over his wife is that he should be able to enjoy her (physically).

If a wife refuses to respond to her husband’s request for intercourse, she has done something haraam and has committed a major sin, unless she has a valid shar’i excuse such as menses, obligatory fasting, sickness, etc.
 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

"When a man calls his wife to his bed and she refuses, and he went to sleep angry with her, the angels will curse her until morning." (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3065; Muslim, 1436)

3. Not admitting anyone whom the husband dislikes.

One of the rights that the husband has over his wife is that she should not permit anyone whom he dislikes to enter his house.

Your rights over your women are that they should not let anyone whom you dislike sit on your bed and they should not let anyone whom you dislike enter your house.
 

4. Not going out of the house except with the husband’s permission.

One of the rights of the husband over his wife is that she should not go out of the house except with his permission.

The Shaafa’is and Hanbalis said,


She does not have the right to visit (even) her sick father except with the permission of her husband, and he has the right to prevent her from doing that… because obedience to the husband is obligatory, and it is not permitted to neglect an obligatory action for something that is not obligatory. 

5. Discipline.

The husband has the right to discipline his wife if she disobeys him in something good, not if she disobeys him in something sinful, because Allaah has enjoined disciplining women by forsaking them in bed and by hitting them, when they do not obey.

The Hanafis mentioned four situations in which a husband is permitted to discipline his wife by hitting her. These are,


(a) not adorning herself when he wants her to
(b) not responding when he calls her to bed and she is pure,
(c) not praying,
(d) and going out of the house without his permission.

The evidence that it is permissible to discipline one's wife includes the aayahs,
 

"As to those women on whose part you see ill‑conduct, admonish them (first), (next) refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly, if it is useful)" (al-Nisaa’ 4:34)
 

Qutaadah said,

"you should command them to obey Allah, and forbid them to disobey Allah, you should be in charge of them in accordance with the command of Allah, and instruct them to follow the commands of Allah, and help them to do so.

If you see any act of disobedience towards Allah, then stop them from doing it and rebuke them for that." (Ibn Katheer)
 

6. The wife serving her husband.
 

7. Submitting herself to him.

Enjoy each other physically for the pleasure of Allah.
 

8. The wife should treat her husband in a good manner.

A person asked, "Who is the best woman?" 


The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

"The best woman is one who pleases her husband when he looks at her, when he asks her to do something she obeys him, and she does not do anything that may displease him with regard to his wealth and honour."

If you have some time perhaps you may want to learn more about 'Ramadhan And Extra Rewarding' and 'Fasts & Suhur' in this blessed month of Ramadhan.

3 comments:

  1. Giancarlo - Thank you & enjoy your holiday

    ReplyDelete
  2. thanks for sharing the rights and obligation as commanded by Allah the Almighty.

    ReplyDelete