who have no choice in such matters must display a greater level of equality and fairness.

Remember, a good and pious wife is a great blessing for a husband. A husband who values this blessing will be successful in attaining the goodness of this world and the Hereafter. Allah Almighty has appointed men as the maintainers of women. However, this does not mean that a husband can beat his wife, give her no value, scold her, force her to give up her bridal money, threaten to divorce her or kick her out the house, disregard her rights and humiliate her. It is unfortunate that oppression towards wives is only increasing in our society, and their rights are being violated.

It is written on page 166 of volume 2 of Tafseer Siraat ul-Jinaan: Harassing wives, forcing them to return their bridal money, leaving them at their parent’s house, not speaking to them, scolding and humiliating them in front of others [are actions prevalent in society]. The poor wife fulfils her husband’s every need, but he acts like Fir’awn. He seeks for new things from his wife’s family by asking them directly or through his wife. In short, what forms of oppression cannot be found in our homes?

The teachings of the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم    show us the importance of a wife and her rights. If a husband treats his wife in light of them, then the situation will definitely improve. Here are three narrations for encouragement.

3.   Hadith Regarding the Rights of a Wife

1.   Sayyiduna Hakim bin Mu’awiyah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ narrates from his father that a man asked the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, “What are the rights of the woman over her husband?” He said, “That he should feed her when he feeds himself and clothe her when he clothes himself; he should not strike her on the face nor call her unsightly, and if he must