Do wives in Islam have the same right as their husbands and should they be treated like equals????
Question
I am a guy who believes that women are allowed the same rights as men? to an extent. Correct me if I believe wrongly. Some family backgrounds believe that wives should be under the control of their husbands; according to my intelligence it is due to thinking that women can be very vulnerable, which in my perspective is wrong, as it is more cultural. If the wife is given her rights according to the shar?iat , which she acts upon to her ability, then would it be correct for a husband to let her do her part as a wife, and according to herself. Does a husband have authority over his wife?? If yes, then does he have to act upon this authority even though the wife is obedient???
Answer
When it comes to the rights in Islam which are between married spouses, it varies. The highlighted rights which a husband has over his wife is that he should always ensure that she has a place to stay, clothing to wear and daily sustenance. He also has to look after her in securing her Imaan, especially, with regards to Salat, fasting and adhering to the lifestyle as shown to us by Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam).
Islam is a very moderate and simple way of life. When a marital home is surrounded by the laws of Islam and practicing on the very simple way of life shown to us by Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), then there wouldn't be any complications arising as to who has more rights and many other issues.
Yes, the husband do have rights over the wife and she has to listen and abide to his wishes, as long as it is within the confines of the Shari'ah. Similarly, the wife has her own rights as well. The way we are made to believe today is that women in Islam are being oppressed. If we have to abide strictly and sincerely to that golden lifestyle of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), then only will one understand and see the wisdom behind following such a lifestyle.
The wife is allowed to do anything she desires so long as it is not in conflict with the Shari'ah, and just as important is that the husband should be pleased with it as well. One should not entertain the concept of the husband controlling the wife, because then the wife will be made a slave rather than a partner who should be loved. If our daily life is in conformity with the Sunnat, then the aspect of controlling and being more cultural will never arise. Allah Ta'ala laid out the rights between the spouses. These are such rights which coincides with each other very beautifully and wherein nobody's rights are trampled upon or oppressed on condition that it is practiced upon the way it was shown to us by the beloved of Allah Ta'ala.
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
- Answered by
- Mufti Ebrahim Desai
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