The Rights Of The Wife

While the religion of Islam propagates the loyalty of the wife to the husband, it also greatly emphasises on the rights of the wife. The Qur'an and Ahaadith are replete with such injunctions.

Surah An-Nisaa and Surah At-Talaaq of the Qur'an specifically discusses the rights of women. In the light of the Qur'anic injunctions and the Ahadith of Rasulullah SAW, the Muslim Jurists have outlined three basic rights of the wife:

1. Shelter
2. Food
3. Clothing

The above are the basic necessities of every living individual. However, since the domestic duties (nurturing of the children and caring for the husband) will occupy the wife fully, it is now Fardh and the sole responsibility of the husband to provide the wife with the above three necessities. Just as it is Fardh for the husband to read Solat and to fast, it is also Fardh to fulfill the rights of the wife. Just as it is a major sin to be negligent towards the rights in Solat and fasting in Ramadhan, so too it is a major sin to be negligent towards the rights of the wife. If a person treats the injunctions of Solat and fasting lightly, it leads to Kufr, so too if he treats the injunctions of the rights of the wife lightly.

Allah Ta'ala says in The Qur'an:

"And provide them shelter where you stay and do not harm to frustrate them." (Surah 65: Verse 6)

When a man divorces his wife, he must provide her shelter during her Iddat. Even when the marriage has deteriorated, the husband has to provide her shelter. How much more important it is upon him to fulfill the obligation during the normal marriage period. The verse clearly indicates that the husband must provide shelter for the wife. This is to protect her belongings and her privacy. However, the Jurists have mentioned that the financial situation of both partners must be taken into consideration in fulfilling her rights. In whatever case, the wife has the right of having a space for her own privacy i.e. a room. This is usually the room shared with the husband.

It is not permissible for any person of the house to enter her room without her consent. Not even in-laws and siblings without permission.

Every individual must fear Allah Ta'ala, understand his obligation and fulfill it accordingly. The husband will be answerable to Allah if he failed in carrying out his duty in fulfilling the rights of the wife.