When a man and woman enter into marriage, they assume a set of serious rights and responsibilities toward one another. In Islam, nikāḥ is not a casual arrangement or a mere legal contract. Rather, it is a sacred covenant rooted in divine guidance—a union established by Allah ﷻ and governed by the Qur’an, the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, and the rich Islamic legal tradition.
Marriage binds two people together not only emotionally and socially, but morally and spiritually. Husband and wife are joined together under the authority of Allah ﷻ, and both are accountable to Him for how they uphold the trust of marriage. As such, they must be concerned not only with fulfilling their duties to Allah ﷻ, but also with fulfilling one another’s rights.
Islam clearly outlines the rights and responsibilities of a husband over his wife, and of a wife over her husband. Before discussing these in detail, it is important to keep several foundational principles in mind:
Allah ﷻ tells us that marriage is founded upon mawaddah and raḥmah—love and mercy. A relationship built only on the bare minimum of legal obligations creates a fragile and unhealthy foundation. Legal rulings help couples navigate moments of hardship, but a successful and thriving marriage depends on far more: generosity, compromise, good character, communication, sacrifice, and sincere care for one another.
Islam grants a wife several rights over her husband, some of which are financial and others that relate to dignity, care, and emotional well-being.
A wife has the right to receive mahr, a nuptial gift given by the husband at the time of marriage. Known in Arabic as ṣadāq, farīḍah, or niḥlah, the mahr is a gift of honor presented by the groom to the bride. It becomes obligatory through the nikāḥ contract and symbolizes the seriousness of marriage and the respect afforded to the woman.
While the majority of jurists hold that mahr is not a condition for the validity of the marriage itself, it is a binding consequence of the contract and an established right of the wife.
The Qur’an repeatedly emphasizes kindness toward one’s wife. Allah ﷻ commands, “Live with them in kindness.” (Qur’an 4:19) The Prophet ﷺ reinforced this principle when he said, “The best of you are the best to their wives.”
A husband must remember that his wife is an amānah—a sacred trust from Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Fear Allah concerning women. You have taken them as a trust from Allah, and they have become lawful for you by the word of Allah.” Fulfilling this trust requires patience, compassion, emotional sensitivity, and moral responsibility.
A wife has the right to financial maintenance, which includes food, clothing, and housing, according to the husband’s means. Allah ﷻ states: “The child’s father shall provide for them with fairness.” (2:233) And He says: “Let the one of means spend according to his means, and the one with limited provision spend from what Allah has given him. Allah does not burden a soul beyond what He has given it.”
From the Quran and Sunnah, it is clear that financial responsibility rests upon the husband. He must provide for his wife in a fair and dignified manner—according to his ability—not extravagantly, nor negligently.
This includes providing suitable housing. The wife has the right to a private living space where her dignity, belongings, and privacy are preserved. While some families prefer a joint-family arrangement for cultural or financial reasons, Islam grants the wife the right to separate accommodations if she requests it.
Classical jurists emphasized that a wife should not be forced into living arrangements that cause harm, discomfort, or emotional strain. At minimum, she is entitled to a private space with a lock, and—where reasonably possible—separate facilities. The overarching principle is protection of her dignity and well-being, while taking into account genuine financial constraints.
It is also important to clarify a common misconception: While her money is her money, the husband’s wealth is not automatically hers. He is obligated to spend on her reasonably and responsibly, but any amount beyond that remains his choice and generosity.
A husband is responsible for protecting his wife—physically, emotionally, and psychologically. Safety, security, and emotional stability are fundamental rights within marriage.
Just as men have physical needs, women also have legitimate sexual needs. A husband is obligated to fulfill his wife’s right to intimacy with care, sensitivity, and mutual consideration.
In Islam, a wife is required to obey her husband in matters that do not involve disobedience to Allah ﷻ. This concept is often misunderstood—especially in modern discourse—and must be approached carefully and responsibly.
Obedience in Islam is not servitude, nor does it justify control, domination, or abuse. A wife is not a slave; she is a dignified partner. The Prophet ﷺ described obedience within a framework of faith, morality, and accountability to Allah ﷻ.
A husband is required to consult his wife, respect her input, and treat her with kindness. While he bears final responsibility for family decisions, he will be questioned by Allah about how he exercised that authority.
Allah ﷻ describes men as qawwāmūn—caretakers and maintainers—over women. This role signifies responsibility, not superiority. Scholars explain qiwāmah as exerting one’s utmost effort in providing, protecting, and managing the family’s affairs.
Being qawwām is not a license for tyranny, nor does it diminish a woman’s worth or capability. Rather, it is a heavy trust placed upon the husband to care for his family financially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
A wife is entrusted with safeguarding her husband’s honor, wealth, home, and children. She is a guardian within the household and will be accountable before Allah ﷻ for how she fulfills that trust.
A wife should not intentionally go places or allow individuals into the home that her husband reasonably disapproves of. This principle is meant to minimize conflict and preserve harmony—not to impose unreasonable restrictions.
Both spouses are required to protect the privacy of their marital life. Discussing intimate details with others is inappropriate and contradicts the dignity of marriage.
Islam safeguards the sexual rights of both spouses. Intimacy is a shared right and a legitimate objective of marriage. However, it must be approached with compassion and understanding.
A husband is not permitted to force himself upon his wife, and a wife is not obligated to comply when she has a valid excuse—such as illness, exhaustion, emotional distress, or physical harm. In such moments, the husband is expected to show empathy and care, not entitlement.
Marriage in Islam is not a battlefield of competing rights, nor a checklist of legal obligations. It is a sacred partnership built upon mercy, trust, responsibility, and mutual care. Rights exist to protect—not to dominate. And success in marriage lies not in enforcing rights, but in embodying character.
May Allah ﷻ grant us marriages rooted in love, guided by wisdom, and sustained by mercy.
