Rights of Wife in Islam over Husband, Allah SWT states the purpose of marriage in Islam as the attainment of peace and tranquility. This peace can only be obtained in this relationship when there is caring, sharing, affection and love in between husband and wife. These emotions are not born by default rather it takes mutual effort and patience by both individuals. Islam has the instinct of maintaining balance in every aspect of life, and so it does in this beautiful relationship. That is why our religion has given certain rights to wife in Islam and imposed some duties over the husband.
Let’s take a detailed look at the basic rights of wife in Islam over husband.
Rights of Wife in Islam (Assets)
Islam protects the rights of women by giving her guaranteed support in every stage of her life whether she is a wife, daughter, mother or sister. The wife enjoys her right in husband’s asset during his life and even after he dies. She is a legal heir to the spouse’s property by provisions of inheritance. It is up to her that how she spends or share her inheritance.
Physical Rights
The wife must be honored in everything including sexual relationships. Islam has given priority to this legitimate over every other right, as, satisfying physical desires is the primary goal of marriage. The husband must meet his better half’s need as he is rewarded for this action if he keeps the intentions pure.
Fair Treatment
If a husband has more than one wife, then Allah Almighty ordered the man to treat all the wives equally. They must be given equal expenditure, clothing and the share of night. She must be dealt with kindness and good attitude so that her heart is softened towards him. Both share equal rights regarding respect and obedience. In Quran, Allah SWT states;
“And they (women) have rights (over their husbands) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (in regards to obedience and respect) to what is reasonable.” –Al Baqarah 2:28
Financial Rights
When the marriage in Islam takes place women is on receiving end. She receives a marital gift called Mahr. This is the first financial right that every wife earns at the time of marriage from her husband. There is no lower or upper limit imposed on men for mahr amount. However, the man must pay mahr (Obligatory amount or dower for wife while establishing Nikah) after the marriage or at the time of marriage.
The husbands are also bound to provide all the financial support to their wives. This is so crucial that if a person isn’t able to create a financial balance between two wives then he’s ordered to keep only one wife.
The women have all the ownership rights over whatever they had been gifted from their husbands. In Islam, the men aren’t allowed to take back all the gifts and finance they had provided to their wives, even after divorce.
Support during Pregnancy and Nursing
If the man got separated from wife through divorce, taking care of her financial needs during pregnancy and after delivery is his responsibility. He must support her in every way. The mothers in Islam can ask fathers for rightful payment in case she is breastfeeding his child.
