There is a misconception about Islam that it does not give proper rights to women. If we study Islam in the light of Quran and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), Islam is the only religion that gives proper rights to women. It helps women to survive in the society safely, and it also protects women in all aspects of her life. (Islam ensures the safety and rights of women). Man and woman are considered to be the pillars of a family, but man with special qualities gifted by Allah Almighty has many responsibilities for a family, as the woman play’s a different role like a sister, mother, daughter, and wife, a man should give respect to all them. Allah Almighty provides wives to men, The purpose of women is not only to please their husband, the purpose is that both live together happily and make their home like a paradise.
Rights of wives according to Hadith
Both husband and wife must (strive together) to make charming life for each other. They should be aware of their issues and try to understand one another. Our last Prophet (SAW) established rights for their social survival economically and spiritually. Our beloved prophet (SAW) said to a man about his wife to be well-mannered and be loving with her. This is shown in the hadith:
“The best of you is the best of you to their family and I am the best of you to my family.”
In another hadith, Holy Prophet (SAW) said:
“I entreat you to treat women well for they have been created from a rib and the most crooked part of a rib is the upper part. If you insist on straightening it, you will break it. If you leave it, it will remain crooked. So, I entreat you to treat women well.” (Bukhari)
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
” A good man treats women with honour”
On another hadith our beloved Prophet (PBUH) said:
“The most perfect believer in faith is the one whose character is finest and who is kindness to his wife”
Its a right of woman upon her husband to be polite to her and not to hurt her. Prophet (PBUH) said in His hadith:
“The perfect man in his faith among the believers is the one whose behavior is most excellent, and the best of you are those who are the best to their wives.” (Tirmidhi)
Another right of wife upon her husband is that husband should not reveal the secrets of his wife. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
“The wicked among the people in the eye of Allah on the Day of Judgment is the man who goes to his wife and she comes to him, and then he divulges her secret.” (Sahih Muslim)
A husband should not harm or swear at his wife and degrade her physical appearance.
A man should not hate his wife. Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said:
“A believer must not hate (his wife) believing woman; if he dislikes one of her characteristics he will be pleased with another”. (Muslim)
Rights of wives according to Quraan
Do not treat women harshly and their husbands must live with them honorably. A woman always wants her man attention to be happy. Before Islam women were treated so badly. They were only considered as a property and inhumanly treated as well so Islam gives greater importance to women’s rights. A woman is not bound to change her name after marriage. She has the right to get “Khula” (separation) from her husband and can remarriage after separation or after the death of her husband
In Holy Quran, Allah Almighty says:
“And of His signs are that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them, and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought” (Quran, 30:21).
Now here we are mention some important rights of woman upon her man.
Husband is bound to serve his wife with clothing, food and shelter, Allah Almighty commanded in Holy Quran. In one of hadith Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
‘Give charity.’ A man said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I have a Dinar.’ He said: ‘Spend it on yourself.’ He said: ‘I have another.’ He said: ‘Spend it on your wife.’ He said: ‘I have another.’ He said: ‘Spend it on your son.’ He said: ‘I have another.’ He said: ‘Spend it on your servant.’ He said: ‘I have another.’ He said: ‘You know best (what to do with it).”‘ (Sunan an-Nasa’i)
The ritual concept of dowry in Muslims and Non-Muslims must be give to a woman from her parents but actually in Islam a husband should give dowry to his wife. In Holy Quran Allah (SWT) says about the right of dowry in these words:
“And give women their dowries as a gift. Then, if they are pleased to give some of it to you, consume it with good health and enjoyment.”( Quran, 4:4)
A man must be supportive to his wife in all aspects so it is one of the most important rights of the wife upon her husband. Allah Almighty says in Holy Quran:
“…And upon the father is the mother’s sustenance and her clothing according to what is reasonable. No person shall have a burden on him greater than he can bear…”(Quran, 2:233)
Conclusion
Briefly is that a man is basically a guardian of a family and a man should be a caretaker for his wife. We should understand that woman is also a human being like a man and she has rights of freedom. May Allah give us the power of faith to live our lives as Allah Almighty commanded us. Ameen
