i. Spouses / Mutual Rights of Husband and Wife
The basic unit of a society is home. The happiness and satisfaction at home depends on the pleasant relations of spouses. Its fairness doesn't merely become the source of happiness of two people but it is pleasure of two families. If there is an issue in their relations, then this situation weakens many ties. Allah said about deciding spouse's right in a verse.
وَلَهُنَّ مِثْلُ الَّذِى عَلَيْهِنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَلِلرِّجَالِ عَلَيْهِينَ دَرَجَةً (سورة البقرة: 228)
Translation: And due to the wives is similar to what is expected of them, according to what is reasonable. But the men have a degree over them.
ii. Right of Wife / Obligations of Husband
Fair Treatment: Islam has directed to treat wives fairly and kindly. It is said byAllah.
وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُونِ (سورة النساء 19)
Translation: And live with them in kindness.
Islam is that only religion which revived the respect of women. Instead of man ruling over them, men were given responsibility of their protection and directed to have good behavior towards their wives.
The Holy Prophet regarded the fair treatment to wives as standard of good and welfare. He said.
خيركم لأهله
Translation: The best of you is The best of you towards his family (i.c. Wife)
Bread 'n' Butter: This is also right of wife that husband fulfils her needs of life. Her needs of food, dress and accommodation should be addressed by her husband according to his capacity.
It is saying of Holy Prophet, "What he eats himself, he should make her eat same and whatever he wears himself, let her wear that".
Justice: It is conditionally allowed in Islam to have more than one marriage and condition is that if you are able to justify, Otherwise, you should be contented on only one marriage only. Justification among wives means that he should equally treat everyone. In living, food and distribution of time, there should be equality. No one should be treated with discrimination. It is saying of Holy Prophet “A husband who has two wives and he doesn't do justice between them will appear in that position that his half body will be paralyzed".
Safeguarding her respect: It is also the right of a woman not to insult her in- front of others so that her self respect remains preserved. It is saying of Holy Prophet, "Do not slap at your wife's face and do not abuse her and do not leave her alone". The Holy Prophet said. "He is the best person who is better for (his) family".
Secrecy: It is moral duty of a husband that he should hide secrets of his wife. There are many secrets of husband and wife and disclosing them an immoral act. It is said in the Holy Quran:
هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ لَكُمْ وَ انْتُمْ لِبَاسُ لَهُنَّ (سورة البقره - 187)
Translation: They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them.
Right of Inheritance: The wife has the 1/4 right in husband's property in case of no children and 1/8 right in case of having children. So that, after husband's death she may live respectfully.
Right of Separation: Islam has given right of 'Talaq' to a woman in case her husband is not eligible for marital affairs for instance, in case he has bad character, or bad morality or his ugly face etc. In this situation, a woman has right to access the court and get separation, (Divorce).
iii. Rights of Husband/Obligation of Wife
Obedience
If a husband has been given the responsibility of chief administrator, then woman has been bound to be obedient and loyal to her husband. The status of a husband for a Muslim wife has been narrated in a hadees of the Prophet: Had I ordered prostration, I would have commended wives to prostrate to their husbands.
Safeguarding Honor: It is right of a husband that his wife safeguards her honor in absence of her husband. Allah said while describing traits of pious wives.
فالصلحت قندت حفظتُ لِلْغَيْبِ (سورة النساء (34) .
Translation: So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in the (husband) absence what Allah would have them got.
Patience and contentment: A woman should ask her husband to fulfill her legal demands. And at any stage there must not be a sign of thanklessness on her tongue. If wife will be patient and contended, then a husband will not think to earn money through wrong means.
Some husbands involve in bribery, interest and other such crimes. It comes in a hadees that there women will be in majority in hell fire. The reason of this is their thanklessness,
Safety of wealth and house: It is binding on a woman to protect everything of her husband. She is owner of the house, so the responsibility of safety of house lies also on her. She should not buy or spend anything without permission of her husband. It is a hadees of the Prophet that a woman is care taker of her husband's house and she will be accountable for this.
Preparing for Husband: A man has the right on her woman that she should prepare herself for her husband. She should take care of her cleanliness and health. This also is a source to produce love in husband's heart for her. It is saying of holy prophet that she is the best wife who pleases her husband in one sight. Pleasure of Husband: A wife should try to please her husband and according to his mood and serve him in all respects. She should take care of his rest and comfort. It is a saying of the Holy Prophet about a woman who pleases her husband. If a wife dies in a situation that her husband is pleased with her, then she will enter paradise".
Fair Treatment to relatives: It is husband's right too that his relatives should be treated well. Particularly, father and mother in law should be treated very well. A husband is pleased with such attitude and the atmosphere of a house is filled with pleasure.
Authority of 'Talaq': A husband has been given the right of divorce 'Talaq”, Divorce, in Islam. However, it is directed to use this right when there is no other option and correction of a wife seems impossible. In the Holy Quran, the golden principles have been given to avoid 'Talaq'. It is commanded by Allah
Translation: And live with them in kindness. For if you dislike them perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah brings through it a great deal of good.
