Marriage is a sacred and beautiful institution in Islam that brings two people together in love, mercy, and harmony. It is also a contract that entails mutual rights and obligations for both the husband and the wife. In this blog post, we will explore the rights of wife and husband in the light of the Quran and Sunnah, the primary sources of Islamic guidance and legislation.

What is the understanding between husband and wife in Islam?

The Quran and Sunnah teach us that marriage is based on mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation between the husband and the wife. They are not rivals or enemies, but partners and helpers who support each other in fulfilling their duties to Allah and His creation. They are also garments for each other, meaning that they protect, beautify, and comfort each other. Allah says in the Quran:

And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your hearts. Verily in that are signs for those who reflect. (Quran 30:21)

They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them. (Quran 2:187)

The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, also said:

The most perfect of believers in faith is the best of them in morals. And the best among them are those who are best to their wives. (Tirmidhi)

Therefore, the understanding between husband and wife in Islam is that they are equal in dignity and honor, but they have different roles and responsibilities that complement each other. They are also expected to treat each other with kindness, generosity, and compassion, and to avoid harming, oppressing, or neglecting each other.

What Quran says about the rights of wife?

The Quran grants the wife several rights over her husband, some of which are:

• The right to receive a dowry (mahr) from her husband at the time of marriage, which is a gift that symbolizes his commitment and responsibility towards her. Allah says:

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. (Quran 4:4)

• The right to be maintained and provided for by her husband, who is obliged to spend on her food, clothing, housing, and other necessities according to his means and her needs. Allah says:

Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth. (Quran 4:34)

Let a man of wealth spend from his wealth, and he whose provision is restricted – let him spend from what Allah has given him. Allah does not charge a soul except [according to] what He has given it. Allah will bring about, after hardship, ease. (Quran 65:7)

• The right to be treated with kindness, justice, and fairness by her husband, who is not allowed to harm her physically, emotionally, or verbally. Allah says:

And live with them in kindness. For if you dislike them – perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah makes therein much good. (Quran 4:19)

And do not forget graciousness between you. Indeed Allah, of whatever you do, is Seeing. (Quran 2:237)

• The right to be consulted and involved in the decisions that affect her and her family, as she is a partner and a trustee of her husband. Allah says:

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. And Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise. (Quran 2:228)

And if they decide on divorce, then Allah is Hearing and Knowing. (Quran 2:227)

• The right to be educated and to seek knowledge, as Islam encourages both men and women to learn and to benefit themselves and others. Allah says:

And say, “My Lord, increase me in knowledge.” (Quran 20:114)

Whoever follows a path in pursuit of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise. (Muslim)

These are some of the rights of wife that the Quran mentions, and there are many more that can be derived from the Sunnah and the consensus of the scholars.

What are the rights and duties of husband and wife in the light of Islamic teachings?

The rights and duties of husband and wife in the light of Islamic teachings are interrelated and interdependent, meaning that each one has rights over the other and duties towards the other. Some of the rights and duties are:

• The right and duty of loyalty and fidelity, which means that both the husband and the wife should be faithful and honest to each other, and should not betray, cheat, or deceive each other. Allah says:

And those who guard their chastity, except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they will not be blamed – But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors. (Quran 23:5-7)

• The right and duty of intimacy and affection, which means that both the husband and the wife should fulfill each other’s sexual needs and desires, and should show love and tenderness to each other. Allah says:

Your wives are a place of sowing of seed for you, so come to your place of cultivation however you wish and put forth [righteousness] for yourselves. And fear Allah and know that you will meet Him. And give good tidings to the believers. (Quran 2:223)

He said, “Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor. And out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: ‘My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.’” (Quran 17:23-24)

• The right and duty of cooperation and consultation, which means that both the husband and the wife should work together and seek each other’s opinion and advice in matters that concern them and their family. Allah says:

And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty. (Quran 5:2)

And if a woman fears from her husband contempt or evasion, there is no sin upon them if they make terms of settlement between them – and settlement is best. And present in [human] souls is stinginess. But if you do good and fear Allah – then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted. (Quran 4:128)

• The right and duty of protection and guardianship, which means that the husband is responsible for protecting and safeguarding his wife from any harm or danger, and the wife is responsible for preserving and guarding her husband’s honor and property. 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. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient (to Allah and to their husbands), and guard in the husband’s absence what Allah orders them to guard (e.g. their chastity, their husband’s property, etc.). (Quran 4:34)

O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded. (Quran 66:6)

These are some of the rights and duties of husband and wife in the light of Islamic teachings, and there are many more that can be derived from the Quran, the Sunnah, and the consensus of the scholars.

What Quran says about husband and wife?

The Quran says a lot about husband and wife, and it gives us many examples and lessons on how to have a successful and happy marriage. Some of the things that the Quran says about husband and wife are:

• The Quran says that husband and wife are created from the same soul, and that they are meant to find comfort and peace in each other. Allah says:

O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed Allah is ever, over you, an Observer. (Quran 4:1)

And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought. (Quran 30:21)

• The Quran says that husband and wife are a source of mercy and blessing for each other, and that they should be grateful and thankful to Allah for this favor. Allah says:

And Allah has made for you from yourselves mates and