Wife's Rights

The wife has financial rights upon her husband like mahr and maintenance, and non-financial moral rights like justice, good companionship, and kind treatment. **1. Mahr (Dowry):** The mahr is her right upon her husband. - **Evidence:** Allah says: "And give the women their due compensation as an obligation" [An-Nisa: 4] **2. Maintenance (Nafaqah):** The husband must provide her with food, clothing, and housing. - **Evidence:** Allah says: "Upon the father is the mothers' provision and their clothing according to what is reasonable" [Al-Baqarah: 233] - Allah says: "Men are in charge of women by what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend from their wealth" [An-Nisa: 34] - Hakim ibn Mu'awiyah reported from his father رضي الله عنه: I said: O Messenger of Allah, what is the wife's right? He said: "That you feed her when you eat, and clothe her when you clothe yourself" [Abu Dawud, Ahmad, Hakim - sahih] - Jabir رضي الله عنه reported in the Prophet's ﷺ farewell sermon: "And they have upon you their provision and clothing according to what is reasonable" [Muslim] **3. Satisfying Her Intimate Needs:** Considering her rights and interests in marriage, and protecting her from temptation. - **Evidence:** Allah says: "So when they have purified themselves, then come to them from where Allah has ordained for you" [Al-Baqarah: 222] - Allah says: "Your wives are a tilth for you, so go to your tilth when or how you will" [Al-Baqarah: 223] - The Prophet ﷺ said: "And in the intimate relations of one of you is charity" [Muslim] **4. Good Treatment:** Treating her kindly and with good conduct. - **Evidence:** Allah says: "And live with them in kindness" [An-Nisa: 19] - So he should be of good character with his wife, gentle with her, patient with what comes from her, thinking well of her. - The Prophet ﷺ said: "The best of you is the best to his family" [Ahmad, Abu Dawud - sahih] **5. Justice Between Wives:** For one who has more than one wife - justice in overnight stays and maintenance. - **Evidence:** Allah says: "But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one" [An-Nisa: 3] - Anas رضي الله عنه said: "The Prophet ﷺ had nine wives. When he would divide between them, he would not return to the first woman except in nine [days]" [Muslim]