Author: Meryem al-Turki
Date published: 2023-01-23
Updated: 2026-02-09
The rights of the wife in Islam
The wife is viewed as the pillar of the family when there are children involved. Their rights are to be preserved, just like the husband's rights. Allah said that both spouses should fulfill each other's rights.
She could lose her right to maintenance or intimacy if she doesn't fulfill her duties towards her husband, or is abusive.
But if she fulfills all her duties towards her husband, then she is entitled to maintenance and intimacy. And if the husband doesn't fulfill her rights, he loses parts of his rights as well, such as intimacy.
- Intimacy Attention, loving words, physical intimacy, etc.
- Respectful treatment Avoiding hurtful words or an overly critical attitude, not crossing her personal boundaries, etc.
- Maintenance Basic nutrition, clothing, and housing (for herself, not with parents-in-law).
- Dowry She has the right to dowry, which can be anything she likes, as long as it is halal, whether expensive or cheap. For example: a house, a vacation, Umrah/Hajj, money, jewellery, etc.
The wife doesn't have to cook for her husband, according to the majority view. And if her husband wants to have more than one wife, she can stipulate the condition not to participate in polygamy.
