The Rights and Obligations Of The Husband Over Wife In Islam

Marriage is a legal bond and social contract between a man and a woman.Marriage in Islam requires acceptance (qubul) of the groom, and the bride, and the consent of the custodian (wali) of the bride.The contract of marriage in Islam is between wali of the bride and bridegroom.A male relative of the bride or her father is normally to be the custodian of the bride.The witness of marriage contract is either two adult muslim males or one adult muslim male and two adult muslim females in Sunni whereas Shia has two adult muslim males and permission from wali as the witness.

Both men and women have rights each other when they enter a marriage contract.The obligation of husband serves as protector and supporter of the family most of the time, from his means.The husband is financially responsible for the welfare and maintenance of his wives and children.He provides house, food, clothing and all they need.A pre-marital agreement of the financial expectation from the husband is in the mahr, given by him to the wife for her exclusive use, which is included as part of his financial responsibility.Both husband and wife are obliged to fulfill the other's sexual needs.Both are obliged to treat each other with kindness.

Prophet Muhammad stated that You had your rights upon your wifes and they had their rights upon you.

The same Rights of Husband and Wife

• The right to enjoy each other
• The right to inherit from each other
• The right of confirmation of the lineage of their children.

The Rights of husband over wife in Islam

• Being the head of the household.It is described in the qur'an, surah An-Nisa ayah 34 : " 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.So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guarded.
• Wife must obey her husband.As stated that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Said that No obedience in what is sinful.Obedience is only in what is right. (Muslim and Bukhari).
• Wife must respond whenever her husband calls her to come to bed.As stated in the hadith : "Whenever a man calls her wife for his desire, let her come to him even if she is occupied at the oven." (At-Tirmidhi - Sahih).If his wife refuses to come,  the angels curse her until morning.
• Wife is not allowed anyone to enter her house if she knows that her husband does not like for that person (male or female) to be in the house.It is described in the hadith : "... And that she should not admit anyone to his house except without his permission." (Muslim and Bukhari).
• Wife cannot leave the house without her husband's permission.As stated in the Qur'an, Surah Al-Ahzab ayah 33 : " And abide in your house and do not display yourselves as (was) the display of the former times of ignorance.And establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and his Messenger.Allah intends only to remove from you the impurity (of sin), O people of the (Prophet's) household, and to purify you with (extensive) purification."
• The wife should treat her husband in a good manner.As stated in the Qur'an, surah Al-Baqarah ayah 228 : " 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."
• The wifes serves her husband and takes care of houseworks, such as cooking and cleaning.
• The husband has the right to discipline his wife if she disobeys him in something good, not she disobeys him in something sinful, because Allah has enjoined disciplining women by forsaking them in bed and by hitting them when they do not obey.
• Wife should be thankful to her husband for his kindness and his efforts in looking after her welfare and happiness.As stated in the Qur'an, surah Ar-Rahman ayah 60 : " Is the reward for good (anything) but good ?".
• Wife does not fast (voluntary) without her husband's permission.It is described in the hadith : " It is not lawful for a woman to fast while her husband is resident except with his permission (Muslim and Bukhari).