Rights of a husband in Islam

To create balance, husband and wife enjoy rights clearly defined in their capacity, as quoted in the Holy Quran, “And they (wife) have rights over their husband) same (to those of their husbands) to them what is reasonable, but men have a degree (of responsibility) for them.”

Without exercising fundamental rights, the whole institution of marriage will be unhealthy and unsustainable and it will collapse. Just as women have some rights over their husbands, in return a husband also has certain rights over his wife. Here is a summary of some of the rights of a husband in the realm of Islam:

In the natural scheme of things, Allah has made men the protectors and guardians of women- it’s their rightful and compulsory obligation to attend to their women and provide for them (physically and financially) as said in the Holy Book of Allah, “Men are the maintainers of women, due to the fact Allah has made a number of them to excel others, and due to the fact they spend out in their property.”

Hence, there is a level of admiration in the relationship where men are the guardians of women. It is enjoined upon the wife to be respectful of her husband and to now no longer be disobedient in relation to subjects of the family, children and wealth and to workout staying power and obedience together with her husband.

In Islam, once a couple is married, the wife isn’t always to refuse her husband in relation to sexual fulfillment. Unless or till the wife isn’t always feeling or not able to have sex because of compulsory fasts, periods etc. She is obliged to make herself to be had to her husband upon the commencement of their marriage each time he asks her. A wife’s refusal of her husband’s request for physical intimacy is significantly condemned by Allah as is showcased in the following hadith:

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (RA), The Messenger of Allah said, “When a person calls his wife to his bed and she refuses, and he went to sleep angry with her, the angels will curse her till morning.” Muslim, 1436

One of the rights a husband has over his wife is that a wife is not allowed to let anyone into her home without the husband’s liking or disapproval. Even in the last sermon of the Holy Prophet, he highlighted the rights of men and women and commanded wives not to enter their husbands.

“You have rights over your wife and your wife has rights over you. Your right to your wife is that they can’t let anyone you don’t like sitting in your bed and they can’t let anyone you don’t like into your home. Their right over you is that you have to feed them and dress them well.” Tirmidhi, 1163

Just as a wife has the right to be treated kindly by her husband, a husband also has the right to be treated kindly by his wife. Without kindness and mutual respect between husband and wife, there cannot be companionship and understanding, which will eventually lead to a marriage breakdown. Both husband and wife should practice kindness, forgiveness and gentleness in their relationships and daily work to create a healthy and happy environment for themselves and their families.

Islam is a religion based on justice, fairness, equality, humanity and love. So it’s no surprise that Islam commands both husband and wife to exercise their own rights and freedoms in a marriage, which is meant to nurture and beautify the whole institution.