A Husband’s Duties and Rights Regarding His Wife in Islam
Question: I would like to know about a husband’s duties and rights regarding his wife in the light of Islam.
Answer: In Islam, a husband has many duties and responsibilities towards his wife. When a man marries a woman in the name of Allah, taking her as his life partner and the mother of his children, Islam first makes it obligatory for him to pay an appropriate mahr (dower) in recognition of her honour and dignity.
Islam does not prescribe any formal ceremony for the bride’s father or guardians when giving their daughter in marriage. Islam also prohibits dowry imposed as a condition of marriage. However, it is Sunnah for the husband to arrange a walima or wedding feast after marriage.
A husband’s duties towards his wife include:
- Paying the mahr at the time of marriage in accordance with the couple’s social standing and circumstances, as well as the wife’s expectations.
- Providing an adequate standard of maintenance and medical care.
- Arranging separate accommodation for his wife.
- Fulfilling his wife’s expectations in married life.
- Providing for the maintenance and upbringing of their children.
- In addition to meeting his wife’s regular living expenses, providing her with a reasonable amount of personal spending money for emergencies.
- Spending time with his wife and making opportunities for her recreation, leisure and outings.
- Respecting his wife’s right to her own assets and lawful earnings and not interfering in them.
- Treating his wife’s parents, relatives and friends in her female social circle with respect and courtesy.
Answered by: Allama Mufti Ubaidur Rahman Khan Nadvi
Source: Jameul Fatawa, Encyclopaedia of Islamic Jurisprudence and Fatwa.
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