Fatwa by: Former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Shaykh Ibn Bāz (رحمه الله)
Question:
If at the time of marriage, the wife stipulates that her husband will not prevent her from continuing her education, and he agrees to this condition and the marriage proceeds on this basis, is this condition valid? If the wife is employed, is she required to financially support her husband and children? Is the husband allowed to take from her salary without her consent? Additionally, if the woman is religious and does not wish to listen to music and songs, but the husband and his family insist on listening to music, even claiming that those who avoid music suffer from inner turmoil, is she required to continue living with them?
Answer:
When a woman stipulates at the time of marriage that her husband will not prevent her from studying and the husband accepts this condition, it is a valid condition. Once the marriage is consummated, the husband is not allowed to revoke this condition because the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Of all the conditions, the most deserving to be fulfilled are those by which you make the private parts lawful (through marriage).”
(Muttafaqun ʿalayh)
If the husband tries to prevent her from working despite this condition, she has the right to either stay with him or seek annulment of the marriage through the Sharīʿah court.
Regarding the husband and his family’s habit of listening to music, this does not invalidate the marriage. The wife should advise them sincerely and stay away from such prohibited actions herself. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Religion is sincere advice.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
He ﷺ also said:
“Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand. If he is not able to, then with his tongue. If he is not able to, then with his heart, and that is the weakest of faith.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
There are many verses and ḥadīths addressing these matters.
As for the financial obligations, the husband is responsible for providing for his wife and children. He does not have the right to take anything from his wife’s wealth without her consent. Likewise, a wife does not have the right to leave the marital home and go to her parents’ house without her husband’s permission.
And Allah is the grantor of success.
Question:
If at the time of marriage, the wife stipulates that her husband will not prevent her from continuing her education, and he agrees to this condition and the marriage proceeds on this basis, is this condition valid? If the wife is employed, is she required to financially support her husband and children? Is the husband allowed to take from her salary without her consent? Additionally, if the woman is religious and does not wish to listen to music and songs, but the husband and his family insist on listening to music, even claiming that those who avoid music suffer from inner turmoil, is she required to continue living with them?
Answer:
When a woman stipulates at the time of marriage that her husband will not prevent her from studying and the husband accepts this condition, it is a valid condition. Once the marriage is consummated, the husband is not allowed to revoke this condition because the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Of all the conditions, the most deserving to be fulfilled are those by which you make the private parts lawful (through marriage).”
(Muttafaqun ʿalayh)
If the husband tries to prevent her from working despite this condition, she has the right to either stay with him or seek annulment of the marriage through the Sharīʿah court.
Regarding the husband and his family’s habit of listening to music, this does not invalidate the marriage. The wife should advise them sincerely and stay away from such prohibited actions herself. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Religion is sincere advice.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
He ﷺ also said:
“Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand. If he is not able to, then with his tongue. If he is not able to, then with his heart, and that is the weakest of faith.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
There are many verses and ḥadīths addressing these matters.
As for the financial obligations, the husband is responsible for providing for his wife and children. He does not have the right to take anything from his wife’s wealth without her consent. Likewise, a wife does not have the right to leave the marital home and go to her parents’ house without her husband’s permission.
And Allah is the grantor of success.
