10 Rights of Husband over his Wife in Islam

I’m going to share all the rights of the husband over his wife in the light of the Quran and Hadith. A husband has more responsibilities as compared to a wife, in this way he has more rights and duties as well.

We will clearly define and explain this topic with the help of Islamic Shareeha rules. Islam gives many rights to the husband as well as the wife in marriage life.

In the Quran, Allah says: ” And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them in kindness, and men are a degree above them. Allah is Mighty, Wise.” [Baqrah, 228].

Explanation of this verse, a man is superior to a woman because of his responsibilities and duties to his family. In fact, this is a unique right of a husband over his wife that her wife has not over her husband. He is the head of his family. All the major decisions will be acted in his order. He is a man who can decide what to do and what should not but, in the light of Islamic Shareeha.

In Islam, marriage is one-half of a Muslim’s faith. What a golden rule of Islamic Shareeha that if a man marries and lives his life according to Islamic Shareeha, his half faith is completed.

In marriage life, a man can secure his life from so many Fitna’s. Marriage is most likely Sunnah, and Islam encourages people to have a married life. If he can afford and can ensure equality between co-wives, he may have more than one and up to four at one time. Islam emphasizes adults for early marriage. To live a happy life, it is very necessary to respect each other’s rights and act patiently. Before Islam, there was no proper right for both genders in marriage life. There was ignorance everywhere.

Table of Contents

Rights of Husband over his Wife in Islam

1. Selection of Life Partner

Even before the marriage the selection of a wife. A boy and girl can decide about their partner to marry. But the best practice is to consult and follow their parent’s advice. He has many duties and responsibilities to sponsor his family.

2. Right of Obedience and Respect

A wife is responsible to be obedient to her husband. She should obey all the valid queries a husband ordered her. She can’t go against her husband in all situations until he goes against the Islamic Shareeha.

So good women are obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded.” [Nisa, 34].

This is an order of Allah, not a common person’s. If she wants to do a job, she has to obey her husband’s permission. If she wants to go out home, she has to obey her husband’s order.

In all the matters which are valid and do not oppose the Shareeha of Islam, she has to obey her husband. But on the other hand, a husband must not be cruel in treating her wife. If he is kind to her and follows the Islamic Shareeha then, this rule will be applicable.

In Quran, Allah says: “Men are in charge of women” then, a wife has to obey her husband in every aspect of life else if he goes against the Islamic rules. Allah has given better mental and physical abilities to a man as compared to a woman. So, he can make decisions better than a woman. No doubt some women have God-gifted abilities and are superior on the basis of education and Taqwa. But still, they have to obey her husband if he is right.

“Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded.” [Quran Nisa, 34].

3. Right of Availability for Her Husband

The availability of a wife for her husband is a right of the husband. A wife is for the husband and she is responsible to entertain her husband physically and mentally.

“Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah 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.” [Bukhari, 3065; Muslim, 1436].

Man is responsible for financial affairs and his wife is to handle his house and family. So whenever there is a need for a husband, she should be available for her husband. She can’t refuse to respond to her husband. It is a major sin and haram because Islam gives this right to a husband.

“The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) 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.” [Muslim, 1436]. If she has a valid reason like sickness, menses, or any obligation like namaz then, she can excuse her husband.

4. Her Love and Attention

In marriage life, both deserve love and attention from each other. This is a common right of both husband and wife. They can’t involve any other in this love. The wife can’t involve any other in his love as this is only the husband’s right. Her attention is only on her husband.

5. Loyalty and Honesty to Her Husband

A wife should be loyal and honest to her husband because he trusts her and let her enjoy everything at home. Now, she is responsible to look after her home and take over the financial manner honestly. She should speak the truth to her husband and don’t conceal secrets.

“So good women are obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded.” [Quran 4, 34].

6. Managing and Maintaining the Home

She has to manage her home affairs. Because a woman has no responsibility to earn and feed her family. A wife is responsible to handle the kitchen and bedroom. Although, a husband can help her and it is Sunnah to support his wife at home.

7. Permission Before Leaving the Home

The Shaafa’is and Hanbalis said: “She does not have the right to visit (even) her sick father except without the permission of her husband, because obedience to her husband is obligatory.”

8. Sexual Intimacies for Children

Islam emphasizes to born of children much. So, if a man wants to have children, she should obey his order. If she is healthy and can entertain a child’s birth, then she must obey in this matter. If she refuses to respond to her husband, she committed in a haram which is a major sin. Unless she has a valid Shareeha excuse like menses, obligatory fasting, or sickness.

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah 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.” [Bukhari, 3065; Muslim, 1436].

9. Protection of Wealth

“Take from his wealth on a reasonable basis, only what is sufficient for you and your children.” [Bukhari, 5049; Muslim, 1714].

10. Not Admitting whom the Husband Dislikes

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said “It is not permitted for a woman to fast when her husband is present without his permission, or to admit anyone into his house without his permission. And whatever she spends (in charity) of his wealth without his consent.” [Bukhaari, 4899; Muslim, 1026]

FAQs

Why does Islam give importance to Husbands’ Rights?

In Islam, the responsibility of guardian, leadership, supervision, and management of the family is given to the husband. A husband is responsible to fulfill all the valid requirements of his family. As a reward, Islam gives more rights to the husband over the wife.

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10 Rights of Husband over his Wife in Islam