The Rights of Wives in the Quran and Hadith

Marriage Built on Affection and Mercy

The Quran describes marriage as a sign of Allah: "And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy" (Ar-Rum, 30:21, Sahih International). Rights in marriage exist to protect that tranquillity, affection and mercy. Marriage involves rights and responsibilities on both sides; this article focuses on the rights of the wife.

1. The Right to Consent

A woman cannot be married against her will. The Prophet said: "A matron should not be given in marriage except after consulting her; and a virgin should not be given in marriage except after her permission" (Sahih al-Bukhari 5136).

2. The Right to Her Mahr

Allah says: "And give the women [upon marriage] their [bridal] gifts graciously. But if they give up willingly to you anything of it, then take it in satisfaction and ease" (An-Nisa, 4:4, Sahih International). The mahr belongs to the wife, and it is hers to keep or give away by her own choice.

3. The Right to Financial Support

Providing for the household, including the wife's food, clothing and housing, is the husband's responsibility, according to his means: "Let a man of wealth spend from his wealth, and he whose provision is restricted, let him spend from what Allah has given him" (At-Talaq, 65:7, Sahih International). The Prophet also taught that this spending is itself rewarded: "You will be rewarded for whatever you spend for Allah's sake even if it were a morsel which you put in your wife's mouth" (Sahih al-Bukhari 56).

4. The Right to Kind Treatment

The Quran instructs husbands: "And live with them in kindness. For if you dislike them, perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah makes therein much good" (An-Nisa, 4:19, Sahih International). The Prophet set the standard personally: "The best of you is the best to his wives, and I am the best of you to my wives" (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3895, graded Sahih by Darussalam), and "the best of you are those who are best to your women" (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1162, graded Hasan by Darussalam).

The Rights at a Glance

Scholars have written at length on marital rights, and the schools differ on some details, such as the specifics of maintenance or housing. For guidance on your own situation, speak to a scholar you trust.

If You Are Being Harmed

Harm and abuse have no place in the marriage the Quran describes. If you, or someone you know, is experiencing domestic abuse in the UK, the National Domestic Abuse Helpline offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247, as listed in government guidance. If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police.

Kindness at home is part of taqwa, explained in our guide to the meaning of taqwa, and it shapes children too, as our guide to raising kids according to Islam describes.

Learn with a Qualified Teacher

Our Islamic Studies course and Tafseer course cover family life in the Quran and Sunnah one-to-one, and sisters can learn with a female teacher, as explained on our Quran classes for sisters page. You can book a free trial lesson with no card required.