Authored by: Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani حفظ اللہ
Women's Rights
Question: Generally, magazines and periodicals highlight the obligations placed upon women. Are there no rights that women hold over their husbands? Please clarify this matter in light of the Qur'an and Sunnah.
Answer:
Just as Allah the Almighty has laid down the rights of men, He has also clarified the rights of women. During the age of ignorance, women suffered countless injustices: they were buried alive, denied inheritance, and subjected to various forms of oppression. Allah rescued women from the depths of humiliation and granted them equitable rights, instructing men to live with them in kindness.
Allah Almighty says:
『وعاشروهن بالمعروف』
“Live with them in kindness.”
[An-Nisa: 19]
In another verse:
『وَلَهُنَّ مِثْلُ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَلِلرِّجَالِ عَلَيْهِنَّ دَرَجَةٌ』
“And women have rights similar to what is incumbent upon them in kindness, but men have a degree over them.”
[Al-Baqarah: 228]
These clear verses demonstrate that women have rights over men just as men have rights over women.
The Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said in an authentic Hadith:
“The most complete of the believers in faith are those with the best character, and the best of you are those who are best to their wives, and I am the best of you to my family.”
[Tirmidhi, Book of Breastfeeding: Chapter on the Right of a Woman over Her Husband 1162]
Abu Hurairah رضی اللہ عنہ narrated that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
“A believing man should not despise a believing woman; if he dislikes one of her characteristics, he will be pleased with another.”
[Muslim, Book of Breastfeeding: Chapter on the Recommendation to Treat Women Well 715]
It is also narrated from Amir Muawiyah رضی اللہ عنہ that he said:
“O Messenger of Allah, what right does our wife have over us?” The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم replied: “When you eat, feed her; when you wear clothes, clothe her. Do not strike her on the face, do not behave badly with her, and do not abandon her except within the house.”
[Abu Dawood, Book of Marriage: Chapter on the Right of the Woman over Her Husband 2142]
From these clear and authentic texts, it is evident that women also have rights upon men. Men who mistreat their wives, neglect their food, clothing, and homes, and instead of treating them kindly engage in foul language, must fear the punishment of Allah. If a woman remains loyal to her husband, does not allow anyone else into his home in his absence, and takes care of his children and home, then it is also the husband’s right to spend time with his wife, share in her joys and sorrows, and treat her well.
Those who respect each other’s rights are truly the good people in our society. Many men in our communities are completely heedless of the rights of others. On the Day of Judgment, they will be questioned not only about the rights of Allah but also about the rights of people. May Allah grant us the ability to act rightly. آمین!
Women's Rights
Question: Generally, magazines and periodicals highlight the obligations placed upon women. Are there no rights that women hold over their husbands? Please clarify this matter in light of the Qur'an and Sunnah.
Answer:
Just as Allah the Almighty has laid down the rights of men, He has also clarified the rights of women. During the age of ignorance, women suffered countless injustices: they were buried alive, denied inheritance, and subjected to various forms of oppression. Allah rescued women from the depths of humiliation and granted them equitable rights, instructing men to live with them in kindness.
Allah Almighty says:
『وعاشروهن بالمعروف』
“Live with them in kindness.”
[An-Nisa: 19]
In another verse:
『وَلَهُنَّ مِثْلُ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَلِلرِّجَالِ عَلَيْهِنَّ دَرَجَةٌ』
“And women have rights similar to what is incumbent upon them in kindness, but men have a degree over them.”
[Al-Baqarah: 228]
These clear verses demonstrate that women have rights over men just as men have rights over women.
The Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said in an authentic Hadith:
“The most complete of the believers in faith are those with the best character, and the best of you are those who are best to their wives, and I am the best of you to my family.”
[Tirmidhi, Book of Breastfeeding: Chapter on the Right of a Woman over Her Husband 1162]
Abu Hurairah رضی اللہ عنہ narrated that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
“A believing man should not despise a believing woman; if he dislikes one of her characteristics, he will be pleased with another.”
[Muslim, Book of Breastfeeding: Chapter on the Recommendation to Treat Women Well 715]
It is also narrated from Amir Muawiyah رضی اللہ عنہ that he said:
“O Messenger of Allah, what right does our wife have over us?” The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم replied: “When you eat, feed her; when you wear clothes, clothe her. Do not strike her on the face, do not behave badly with her, and do not abandon her except within the house.”
[Abu Dawood, Book of Marriage: Chapter on the Right of the Woman over Her Husband 2142]
From these clear and authentic texts, it is evident that women also have rights upon men. Men who mistreat their wives, neglect their food, clothing, and homes, and instead of treating them kindly engage in foul language, must fear the punishment of Allah. If a woman remains loyal to her husband, does not allow anyone else into his home in his absence, and takes care of his children and home, then it is also the husband’s right to spend time with his wife, share in her joys and sorrows, and treat her well.
Those who respect each other’s rights are truly the good people in our society. Many men in our communities are completely heedless of the rights of others. On the Day of Judgment, they will be questioned not only about the rights of Allah but also about the rights of people. May Allah grant us the ability to act rightly. آمین!
