The Importance of the Relationship Between Husband and Wife in Islam
Islam has made the relationship between husband and wife based on love, respect, and justice. If a husband oppresses his wife or causes her physical or psychological harm, then this is against the principles of the Shariah. In the Quran, the prophetic hadiths, and the statements of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), such oppression is condemned, and the protection of women’s rights has been given importance.
1. The Relationship Between Husband and Wife in the Light of the Quran
The command to treat women kindly:
وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ
Translation: “And live with them in kindness.”
Explanation: Allah the Exalted has commanded men to treat their wives with gentleness and kindness, and not to oppress them in any way.
Punishment for those who oppress:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ
Translation: “Indeed, Allah does not love the wrongdoers.”
Explanation: Allah the Exalted dislikes oppression, and a husband who oppresses his wife will incur the displeasure and wrath of Allah.
Protection of women’s rights:
وَلَهُنَّ مِثْلُ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ
Translation: “And women have rights similar to those of men over them, according to what is known.”
Explanation: In this verse, men are obligated to deal with women justly and to fulfill all their rights.
2. The Relationship Between Husband and Wife in the Light of the Hadiths
Exhortation to the best treatment of the wife:
خَيْرُكُمْ خَيْرُكُمْ لِأَهْلِهِ وَأَنَا خَيْرُكُمْ لِأَهْلِي
Translation: “The best of you is the one who is best to his family (wife), and I am the best of you to my family.”
Explanation: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ advised husbands to adopt the best manners and good treatment toward their wives.
Condemnation of oppressing the wife:
إني أُحَرِّجُ عليكم حق الضعيفين: اليتيم والمرأة
Translation: “I strictly enjoin upon you the rights of the two weak ones: the orphan and the woman.”
Explanation: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded the protection of women’s rights and strictly forbade oppressing them.
Command to be gentle with women:
رِفْقًا بِالْقَوَارِيرِ
Translation: “Treat women gently, for they are delicate.”
Explanation: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ guided us to adopt a gentle and loving attitude toward women.
3. Statements of the Companions
Hazrat Umar bin Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him):
“Be gentle with women, for they are a trust in your care.”
Hazrat Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him):
“A person who oppresses women will fail in this world and the Hereafter. Allah will make him deserving of His punishment.”
4. Statements of the Jurists and Muhaddithin
Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him):
“Treating one’s wife with gentleness and love is the responsibility of the husband, and if a husband oppresses his wife, he will be liable for accountability before Allah.”
Imam Ibn Qudamah (may Allah have mercy on him):
“If a husband treats his wife harshly or oppressively, the woman has the right to approach the judge for justice and demand her right.”
5. Women’s Rights in Islam
- Protection from psychological and physical harm: Islam has commanded that women be protected from physical and psychological abuse. A husband is not permitted to cause his wife harm without reason.
- Right to maintenance and expenses: A woman has been granted the right to maintenance from her husband, including housing and other necessities. Any reduction of these rights by the husband is against the Shariah.
- Right to justice: If a husband has more than one wife, he is obligated to deal with them with complete justice. Wronging one of them is a violation of Allah’s command.
6. Summary
In Islam, it is obligatory upon the husband to treat his wife with love, gentleness, and justice. If a husband oppresses his wife, he will be liable for severe accountability before Allah. In the teachings of the Quran, the hadith, and the jurists, the husband has been bound to fulfill the wife’s rights and to treat her kindly. If the husband oppresses, the woman has the right to seek her rights from the Islamic court.
