There is a chapter in the Holy Qur'an entitled "The Women" (Surah No.4), the major portion of which is devoted to the rights and obligations of women, law of inheritance, family life etc.

In addition, many other Surahs in the Noble Quran e.g. Surah No. 2, 24, 33 and 65 also deal with subjects relating to women and family life to an enormous scope.

On the other hand, there is no chapter in the Holy Qur'an entitled "The Man"



As a wife, she is the supply of soothe and peace for her husband and similarly her husband is a source of comfort, relieve, peace and protection for her. Allah has created love and affection between them (Surah 30:21). Allah blesses the men with children through their wives (Surah 16:72).

In Islam the rights of wife are well established and protected both lawfully and socially. Unfortunately however, a greater number of husbands and men-folk in general, are either ignorant of these rights, or willfully violate them.

A lady enters the marriage contract through her absolute free choice. No marriage is honored without her consent.



While husband is assigned by Allah the right to divorce, wife has the right to seek separation and divorce. If husband does not agree to separation, it can and should be enforced through court's intervention.



The household expenditure is to be met by husband, as a rule. Wife is not obliged to take or share this burden, even if she is rich. She may, but that will be a favor from her.

She has the right to own property, received through various sources of inheritance, earned or enhanced through gainful investment.

She may ask for a maid/servant to do household chores, and cannot be compelled to do these jobs herself as an obligation.



Legally, she cannot be compelled even to breast-feed her baby. That arrangement is the responsibility of father. But she can never deny bed-sharing unless it was physically not possible. This is one area in which Islam asks her to comply with her husband's desire.



As mother, she enjoys priority over her husband to be looked after and served by their children.



Having listed some of the rights as above, it is admitted that women in our society are deprived of what Allah granted them

The Qur'an states:

"And among His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves that you may live in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between you; Verily, in that are signs for people who reflect."

(Surah 30:21)

Marriage is therefore not just a physical or emotional necessity, but in fact, a sign from God! It is a relationship of mutual rights and obligations based on divine guidance. God created men and women with complimentary natures, and in the Qur'an, He laid out a system of laws to support harmonious interaction between the sexes.

"...They are your garments and you are their garments."

(Surah 2:187)

The second right of a wife is maintenance. Despite any wealth she may have, her husband is obligated to provide her with food, shelter and clothing. He is not forced, however, to spend beyond his capability and his wife is not entitled to make unreasonable demands. The Qur'an states:

"Let the man of means spend according to his means, and the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what Allah has given him. Allah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him."

(Surah 65:7)

The commandments of the Holy Qur'an regarding the rights of woman as wife are:

"Permitted to you, on the night of the fasts, is the approach to your wives. They are your garments and ye are their garments. Allah knoweth what ye used to do secretly among yourselves: But He turned to you and forgave you"

(Surah 2:187)

"Your wives are as a tilth unto you: so approach your tilth when or how ye will: but do some good act for your souls beforehand; and fear Allah, and know that ye are to meet Him (in the Hereafter) and give (these) good tidings to those who believe."

(Surah 2:223)

"And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them, according to what is equitable; but men have a degree (of advantage) over them. And Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise."

(Surah 2:228)



"There is no blame on you if ye divorce women before consummation or the fixation of their dower: but bestow on them (a suitable gift) the wealthy according to his means, and the poor according to his means; A gift of a reasonable amount is due from those who wish to do the right things."

(Surah 2:236)

"O mankind! reverence your Guardian Lord, Who created you from a single Person, created, of like nature, his mate, and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women; Reverence Allah, through Whom ye demand your mutual (rights), and (reverence) the wombs (that bore you); for Allah ever watches over you."

(Surah 4:1)

"And give the women (on marriage) their dower as a free gift; but if they, of their own good pleasure, remit any part of it to you, take it and enjoy it with right good cheer."

(Surah 4:4)

"In what your wives leave, your share is a half, if they leave no child; but, if they leave a child, ye get a fourth; after payment of legacies and debts. In what ye leave, their share is a fourth, if ye leave no child. But if ye leave a child, they get an eighth; after payment of legacies and debts."

(Surah 4:12)



"O ye who believe! ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness, that ye may take away part of the dower ye have given them, except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and Allah brings about through it a great deal of good."

(Surah 4:19)

"But if ye decide to take one wife in place of another, even if ye had given the latter a whole treasure for dower, take not the least bit of it back: Would ye take it by slander and a manifest wrong?"

(Surah 4:20)



"If ye fear a breach between them twain, appoint (two) arbiters, one from his family, and the other from hers; if they wish for peace, Allah will cause, their reconciliation: for Allah hath full knowledge, and is acquainted with all things."

(Surah 4:35)

"It is He Who created you from a single person, and made his mate of like nature, in order that he might dwell with her (in love). When they are united, she bears a light burden and carries it about (unnoticed). When she grows heavy, they both pray to Allah their Lord, (saying); "If Thou givest us a goodly child, we vow we shall (ever) be grateful."

(Surah 7:189)

"And Allah has made for you mates (and companions) of your own nature, and made for you, out of them, sons and daughters and grandchildren, and provided for you sustenance of the best: will they then believe in vain things, and be ungrateful for Allah's favours." (Surah 16:72)

"And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts):Verily in that are Signs for those who reflect."

(Surah 30:21)

"Let the women live (in 'iddat), in the same style as ye live, according to your means: Annoy them not, so as to restrict them. And if they carry (life in their wombs), then spend (your substance) on them until they deliver their burden: and if they suckle your (offspring), give them their recompense: and take mutual counsel together, according to what is just and reasonable. And if ye find yourselves in difficulties, let another woman suckle (the child) on the (father's) behalf."

(Surah 65:6)

The role of the husband evolves around the moral principle that it is his solemn duty to Allah to treat his wife with kindness, honor, and patience; to keep her honorably or free her from the marital bond honorably; and to cause her no harm or grief.

Allah says:

"...consort with them in kindness, for if ye hate them it may happen that ye hate a thing wherein Allah hath placed much good."

(Surah 4: 19)

The Wife's Rights; The Husband's Obligations:

According to the Quran and the Sayings of the Prophet Mohammad,

Which commanded kindness to women; it is the husband's duty to:

1) Consort with his wife in an evenhanded and kind conduct.

Allah says, "... and consort with them in kindness."

(Surah 4: 19)

2) Have responsibility for the full maintenance of the wife, a duty which he must discharge cheerfully, without reproach, injury, or condescendence.

Allah says: "Let him who hath abundance spend of his abundance, and he whose provision is measured, let him spend of that which Allah hath given him. Allah asketh naught of any soul save that which He hath given it. Allah will vouchsafe, after hardship, ease.‏" (Surah 65: 7)

What is meant by Maintenance?

Maintenance entails the wife's incontestable right to lodging, clothing, nourishing, and general care and well-being.

It should be emphasized that:

1-The wife's residence must be adequate so as to provide her with the reasonable level of privacy, comfort, and independence. The welfare of the wife and the stability of the marriage should be the ultimate goal.

2-What is true of the residence is true of clothing, food, and general care. The wife has the right to be clothed, fed, and cared for by the husband, in accordance with his means and her style of life. These rights are to be exercised without extravagance or miserliness.

In short, a husband is commanded by the law of Allah to:

1- Treat his wife with equity.

2- Respect her feelings, and to show her kindness and consideration.

3- Not to show his wife any aversion or to subject her to suspense or uncertainty.

4- Not to keep his wife with the intention of inflicting harm on her or hindering her freedom.

5- Let her demand freedom from the marital bond, if he has no love or sympathy for her.