Fatwa ID: 07638
Answered by: Molana Sibghat Ullah
Question:
A hadith said three people whose prayers will not be accepted among them one is a woman whose husband is angry with her. Another hadith is that he is your heaven or hell. Islamweb said this includes not only intimacy but also for any valid sharee’ reason like ill manner, disobedience etc. In another Hadith, scholars say If a husband is dissatisfied, she is going to hell. This should also be applied to the husband whose wife is angry with her for any valid sharee’ reason and she also should be his heaven or hell. You won’t find a single hadith that talks about the wife’s rights or satisfaction, the husband’s punishment or no warning for him for the same deeds as if in Islam marriage is only her duty and obligation to satisfy her husband. He is okay even if he hurts her or doesn’t fulfil her rights as the scholar says this hadith is only for women. Just say he is sinful but in her case, you are going to hell because your husband is dissatisfied. How can you say Islam is a just religion as these answers are like double standards?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
The Qur’an and Hadith provide solutions for every problem because Islam is a complete way of life. People oppose the teachings of Islam because they are unaware of Quran and hadith and they pick a verse or statement out of context and try to make it an issue. As far as the rights of women are concerned Quran and hadith states in various places.
- Right to kind treatment and respect: –
Allah says in Quran: –
هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ لَّكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لِبَاسٌ لَّهُنَّ
“They are a garment for you, and you are a garment for them.”
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:187):
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said
إِنَّ لِزَوْجِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا
Indeed, your wife has a right over you.
Sahih al-Bukhari, 5199
In another place Allah says in Quran:
وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ
And live with them in kindness.
Surah An-Nisa (4:19)
- Financial Right of the wife over husband.
Allah says in Quran
لِيُنفِقْ ذُو سَعَةٍ مِّن سَعَتِهِ ۖ وَمَن قُدِرَ عَلَيْهِ رِزْقُهُ فَلْيُنفِقْ مِمَّا آتَاهُ اللَّهُ
Let a man of wealth spend from his wealth, and he whose provision is restricted, let him spend from what Allah has given him.
Surah At-Talaq (65:7)
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) explained the responsibility of a husband:
لَهُنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَكِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ
Their (wife) rights upon you (man) are that you provide for them and clothe them in a good manner.
Sahih Muslim
In a famous sermon during his Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ فِي النِّسَاءِ، فَإِنَّكُمْ أَخَذْتُمُوهُنَّ بِأَمَانَةِ اللَّهِ
Fear Allah concerning women! Verily, you have taken them on the security of Allah.
Sahih Muslim
- Right to Mahr (Dowry)
The wife is entitled to a Mahr (dowry), which is a mandatory gift from the husband to the wife upon marriage. This is her personal property. Allah says in Qur’an
وَآتُوا النِّسَاءَ صَدُقَاتِهِنَّ نِحْلَةً
And give the women the bridal gift upon marriage.
Surah An-Nisa (4:4)
To conclude, the hadiths you mentioned are true, but a man cannot use it to punish or be unjust to his wife. Islam is not responsible for the ignorance of people or their behaviour if they don’t follow the teachings of islam.
This life is a test for us and for every wrongdoing we will be questioned. So, a person should be very careful of how he treats other people and his family.
Allah says in Quran
ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْمَوْتَ وَٱلْحَيَوٰةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًۭا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْغَفُورُ
He is the One Who created death and life in order to test which of you is best in deeds. And He is the Almighty, All-Forgiving.
Sura Mulk 67:2
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Molana Sibghat Ullah
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham