Mutual Rights of Husband and Wife
The significance of marriage and the aims and advantages that are associated with it are self-evident. Peace of mind and a happy life are greatly dependent on the mutual relationship that develops between husband and wife.
The main objects of marriage are that both parties enjoy the pleasures of life with purity, (which can only be possible through wedlock) and that the continuity of the human race be, and is, maintained with dignity. These objects can be realized best when the relations between husband and wife are good and there is love, sympathy and good understanding between them.
The main purpose of the Prophet's teachings, regarding the rights and duties of marriage, is that the marriage proves to be a source of joy and satisfaction to both husband and wife, that their hearts remain united and that the aims of the marriage be attained in the best possible manner.
According to the Prophet's teachings, the wife should regard her husband over and above everyone else and she should remain faithful to him. She should leave nothing to be desired with regards to devotion and earnestness and should believe that, for her. the happiness of both worlds lies in his good pleasure. The husband, on his part, ought to consider his wife as a blessing of Allah and he should give her. ungrudgingly, his love, hold her in high esteem and look after her needs and comforts to the best of his ability. If she makes a mistake, he should over look it and try to correct her with tact and patience.
Obedience And Loyalty To The Husband
- Aisha (ra) says that the Prophet (saw) said "The greatest claim on a woman is that of her husband and the greatest claim on a man is that of his mother".
- In the marriage agreement it is necessary that the husband has the position of leadership. Man has been declared the head of the family in the Islamic Shari'ah and great responsibilities have been assigned to him. The Quran says ‘Men are the protectors and maintainers of women".
- As for the women, the commandment is that they obey the husband as the head of the household and fulfill the domestic duties. Regarding them, the Quran says "The righteous women are obedient and protect (the husband's interest) in his absence, as Allah has protected them."
- If the wife fails to submit to her husband, and instead of serving him devotedly, she adopts an attitude of defiance and stubbornness, then it will be disastrous for both and they will be losers in this world and the hereafter.
- The Prophet (saw), therefore, stressed upon the wives to be loyal and faithful to their husbands and to seek their pleasure, -(A great reward has been promised for this, in the hereafter.)
- It is related by Anas (ra) that the Prophet (saw) said "if a woman offers five times daily prayer, keeps the fasts of Ramadan, guards her honor and obeys her husband, then she will enter Paradise by whichever gate she pleases."
- Here, loyalty and obedience to the husband has been mentioned along with the Salah and Fast. It denotes that, in the Shariah, submission to the husband is as important as the principal duties of Islam.
- The Prophet (saw) has said "A woman who dies in the state that her husband is pleased with her, shall go to Paradise."
It should be noted here, that, if a man is displeased with his wife, without any fault of hers, she will be innocent in the sight of Allah and the responsibility for annoyance shall rest with the husband.
Advice On Kind Treatment To The Wife
Abu Hurairah (R.A.) relates that the Prophet (saw) advised, "O people. Follow my advice concerning the kind treatment of wives. (I order you to treat your wives with kindness and love). The woman has been created from the rib, and the rib is curved, by nature, and the greatest curve is in its upper part. If you try to straighten the curved rib by force, it will break, and if you leave it alone, it will remain curved forever. So follow my advice and treat your wives kindly and well."
- If a man dislikes his wife for some reason, he should not adopt an attitude of hatred towards her, and start thinking in terms of divorce, but he should look for the good qualities in her, and learn to admire her because of them.
- The Prophet (saw) has said, "No believing man hates his believing wife. If there is a bad quality in her, there will also be a good quality."
This is the claim of Faith on a believing husband and the privilege of a believing wife.
- Addressing the Muslims, the Prophet (saw) said "The best of you are those who are best to their wives."
- It is related by Aisha (ra) that the Prophet (saw) said, "Good among you are those who are good to their wives; and I, on my part, am very good to my wives."
This shows that there is a special goodness in treating one's wife well. To make the advice more effective, the Prophet added that he himself was good and considerate to his wives.
Article Contributed by: itsIslam Staff |
