A HUSBAND SHOULD HELP HIS WIFE IN DOMESTIC AFFAIRS

Basic Rights of Wives in Islam

Rights of Wife in Islam over Husband, Allah SWT states the purpose of marriage in Islam as the attainment of peace and tranquillity. This peace can only be obtained in this relationship when there is caring, sharing, affection and love between husband and wife. These emotions are not born by default rather it takes mutual effort and patience by both individuals. Allah says:

وَآتُوا النِّسَاءَ صَدُقَاتِهِنَّ نِحْلَةً فَإِن طِبْنَ لَكُمْ عَن شَيْءٍ مِّنْهُ نَفْسًا فَكُلُوهُ هَنِيئًا مَّرِيئًا

“And give the women [upon marriage] their [bridal] gifts graciously. But if they give up willingly to you anything of it, then take it in satisfaction and ease.” (Surah An-Nisa 4: 4)

Islam has the instinct of maintaining balance in every aspect of life, and so it does in this beautiful relationship. That is why our religion has given certain rights to wives in Islam and imposed some duties over the husband.

“The most complete believers are those with the best characters, and the best of you are those who are best to their womenfolk.” (At-Tirmidhi)

Basic rights of the wife in Islam over the husband:

  1. Every husband is responsible for providing his wife with food, clothing, and shelter 
  2. Women do not have to change their name after marriage
  3. The right to “Privacy” of All confidential matters
  4. The right to considerate and kind treatment
  5. The right to a Peaceful Home Environment
  6. The right to accept marriage Proposal
  7. The right to Financial Support
  8. Rights of Wife in Islam (Assets)
  9. Support during pregnancy and nursing
  10. A husband should help his wife in domestic affairs
  11. A woman can remarry after her divorce, or at the death of her husband 
  12. A husband should not lack in praising the qualities of  his wife, in front of her, and in front of others
  13. A husband has no right to stop his wife from visiting her parent’s house or close family or to keep her at home for no due reason
  14. Even though men spend most of their time outside the house, they are cordially obliged to help praise the children with the wife

The husbands are also bound to provide all the financial support to their wives. This is so crucial that if a person isn’t able to create a financial balance between two wives then he’s ordered to keep only one wife. The women have all the ownership rights over whatever they had been gifted from their husbands. Allah says:

كَيْفَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَكُنتُمْ أَمْوَاتًا فَأَحْيَاكُمْ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ

“And they (women) have rights (over their husbands) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (in regards to obedience and respect) to what is reasonable.” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:28)

In Islam, the men aren’t allowed to take back all the gifts and finance they had provided to their wives, even after divorce. Thus proven, Islam gives women enough rights as a religion, it is then up to us, as men, to further their rights and help them attain the level of equality they deserve – because it is they who bear much trouble to make our lives happier and more comfortable.

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