The Prohibition of Disclosing Spousal Secrets

This content is derived from the book "500 Questions and Answers for Women," based on the fatwas of the scholars of the Haramain, translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.

Question:

Some women have the habit of discussing details about their marital life and household matters with close relatives and friends. Some of these discussions involve private matters or secrets that their husbands would not want to be disclosed. What is the ruling regarding women who reveal household secrets and discuss them with outsiders or even other family members?

Answer:

It is haram (prohibited) for women to disclose household or marital secrets to anyone, including close relatives or friends. No woman has the right to expose private details of her home or her relationship with her husband.

Allah Almighty describes righteous women in the Qur'an as:

«فَالصَّالِحَاتُ قَانِتَاتٌ حَافِظَاتٌ لِلْغَيْبِ بِمَا حَفِظَ اللَّهُ»

“So righteous women are devoutly obedient and guard [the secrets of their husbands] in their absence because Allah has commanded them to do so.”
[Surah An-Nisa: 34]
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) also warned against such behavior:

«شر الناس منزلة عند الله يوم القيامة الرجل يفضي إلى المرأة وتفضي إليه ثم ينشر سرها»

“The worst of people in the sight of Allah on the Day of Judgment will be the man who was intimate with his wife, and she with him, and then he spreads her secrets.”
[Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 1437]

Conclusion:

Revealing spousal secrets is a grave sin and a violation of trust. Women must safeguard the dignity of their household and protect the privacy of their marital life. Fulfilling this duty is a hallmark of righteousness and good character.

[Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymeen (رحمه الله)]
 
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