Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Can you tell me all the duties of a wife to the husband? What are things that wife should not do? If the husband doesn`t give permission for the wife to go out , can she still go? Thank you. 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Duties of wife

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: Can you tell me all the duties of a wife to the husband?

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 228:Wives have the same rights as the husbands have on them in accordance with the generally known principles. And men are a degree above them; and above all is Allah, the All Mighty, All Wise.

Islam has given both man and woman certain rights, responsibilities and duties according to their nature. All the financial responsibilities of the household is the responsibility of the man. Even if his wife is a millionaire, she is not required to spend a penny of it on the household, if she does not wish to. It is the responsibility of the man to provide for her food, clothing and shelter according to his means.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verse 34:Men are the managers of the affairs of women because Allah has made the one superior to the other, and because men spend of their wealth on women. Virtuous women are, therefore, obedient (to their husband); and they guard in his absence what Allah would have them guard (their honor, their property, etc.)

In light of the above aayah of the Holy Quran, the duties of a wife to her husband are that she is obedient to her husband, and she guards in his absence his property, his honor, etc.

In Islam, each family can be considered a small State, and Allah has appointed the man as the leader of the state, because of certain natural qualities and because they provide for the family from their means. But having been given the position of a leader in Islam does not mean that the man becomes an arrogant and oppressive dictator like the leaders of the world! In Islam, when one is made a leader, his duty is to fear Allah, and serve, protect and maintain harmony in his state, by being a just, benevolent, and a loving servant-leader.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 30 Surah Rum verse 21: And of Allah’s Sign is that He has created for you wives from your own species, so that you may find peace with them, and (Allah has) created love and mercy between you. Surely in this there are many Signs for those who reflect.

Allah himself says that he has created the relationship of husband and wife, so that we may find peace and tranquility in this relationship. And Allah has put love and mercy between the spouses, in this sacred relationship of marriage. But this love, respect, harmony, peace and tranquility can only be experienced if both the husband and wife fear and obey Allah Subhanah, and give all the rights that are due to their spouses.

It is reported that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said in an authentic narration: ‘The whole world is a provision (from Allah), and the best of provisions is a righteous wife.”

Thus, in conclusion, what is required for a peaceful and loving marriage and a good wholesome married life, is first and foremost the fear of Allah Subhanah; that One Day everyone will have to stand alone in the Court of Allah Subhanah to give a full accounting of all his deeds. Once this God-consciousness and piety is developed in the person, he will always try to obey Allah and thus do all his deeds in the best manner, giving each the rights that are due to them.

Your Question: If the husband doesn`t give permission for the wife to go out , can she still go?

It does not behove a believing man to imprison his wife and not allow her to go out of the house. The woman in Islam is allowed to go out for her needs, like shopping, meeting her relatives, etc. And a believing wife, who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day, should take extreme care and be obedient to her husband as commanded by Allah; and both should do everything in consultation and approval of each other; unless, of course, if the one commands the other to do something which is against the commands of Allah Subhanah.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan