The Rights And Obligations Of The Wife Over Husband In Islam

Marriage in islam is a legal contract between two individuals.Under islamic law , marriage is no longer viewed as a status but rather as a contract.The essential elements of the marriage contract are now an offer by the man, such as the payment of dowry and an acceptance by women.The presence of at least two witnesses are needed in the offer and acceptance.Marriage is an act of Sunnah in Islam.It is recommended strongly.The age of marriage is not determined depending the ready, finance, emotion of individual.

It is described in Alqur'an, Surah An-Nisa ayah 4 : And give a woman (upon marriage) their (bridal) gifts graciously.But if they give up willingly to you anything of it, then take it in satisfaction and ease.

The Alqur'an outlines some conditions of marriage as the following :

• The marriage contract is between the guardian (wali) of the bride and the bridegroom.
• A marriage should be conducted through a contract and a mandatory sum of wealth provided to the bride, which refers to the mahr.

The mahr may be separated into two parts :

• A mu'qadamm (forepart presented mahr) : Mahr may also be paid in parts to the bride with an amount given by the groom to the bride at the signing of the marriage contract.
• A mu'akhaar (delayed mahr) : Mahr portion is postponed to a date during the marriage.

Mahr is mentioned in Qur'an and hadith that there is no maximum limit to the amount of mahr paid by the groom, but its minimum is an amount that will be sufficient for the women to be able to survive independently if her husband dies or they divorce.

In the Qur'an , Allah states that If a husband wishes to divorce a wife and marry another that he may not take back any of the dowry, which was given no matter how large it was.

Surah An-Nisa ayah 21 :

"And how could you take it while you have gone in unto each other and they (the women) have taken from you an solemn covenant."

A married woman has rights over the husband  as stated in the Qur'an, surah Al-baqarah ayat 228 :

" And due to the wife is similar to what is expected of them, according to what is reasonable."

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 the wife over husband in Islam

• The dowry is an obligation and a debt upon the husband until he pays it.There is no escaping it unless the wife gives up her right to it freely and willingly.As stated in the Qur'an, surah An-Nisa ayah 4 : " And give to the women (whom you marry) their mahr (obligatory bridal-money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage) with a good heart."
• Support (nafaqah) is the most important right to feed and buy cloths to his wife.As stated in the qur'an surah An-Nisa ayah 34 : " Men are in charge of women because of what Allah has given to some more than others and because they support them their property."If a husband does not support his wife, she has no obligation to fulfill her obligations to him.
• Kind and proper treatment is done by husband to his wife.Husband treats his wife by using kind speech, kind deeds, and beautiful manner.As stated in the Qur'an, surah An-Nisa ayah 19 : "..And consort with your wives in a goodly manner for, if you dislike them, it may be well that you dislike something which Allah makes a source of abundant good."
• Marital relations is an obligation of husband.
• A husband is not allowed to strike his wife in anyway that causes injury.As stated in the qur'an, surah An-Nisa ayah 34 : " But those (wives) from whom you fear arrogance-(first) advise them; (then if they persist), forsake them in bed; and (finally), strike them.But if they obey you (once more), seek no means against them.Indeed Allah, is ever Exalted and Grand."
• Privacy is the right of the both spouses that the other cannot discuss their private moments with anyone else.
• Justice between multiple wives is done by husband by providing house, food, clothing or all they need.It is described in the Qur'an, surah An-Nisa ayah  129 : " And you will not be able to effect justice between the women no mattter how hard you try.So do not incline (toward some) completely such that you leave (another) as if suspended.And if you reform and fear Allah, surely Allah is Forgiving and Merciful."
• Husband must protect his wife's honor.Do not place her in the bad stuations .
• Husband must respect his wife  and pay attention to her needs so she will respect and pay attention to him.
• Husband must never divulge the secrets of household and those of married couple.
• Husband must avoid jealousy excessively to his wife.
• Husband must teach his wife about the religion and her obligations to the parents, husband, children, and neighbour.It is described in the Qur'an, surah At-Tahrim ayah 6 : "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."
• The wife has right to live separate accomodation with her husband and children, if she does not like to share it with anyone like her in-law or relatives.She also has the right to refuse to live with her husband's father, mother, and siblings.This is the view of Hanafi, Shaafa'i and Hanbali fuqaha.

The obligation of wife is to safeguard the husband possessions and protect how wealth is spent.If the wife has wealth in her own capacity she is not obliged to spend it upon the husband or children, as she can own property and assets in her own right.The husband has no right for her property and assets except by her will.Both wife and husband are obliged to fulfill the other's sexual needs.Both of them are obliged to treat each other with kindness.Wife is obliged to obey her husband 's demands.