Salam alaikum, I have read this story on a website and would like to know, if this story is known and authentic? 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, radi Allahu anhu, said that a man came to his house to complain about his wife. On reaching the door of his house, he hears 'Umar's wife shouting at him and reviling him. Seeing this, he was about to go back, thinking that 'Umar himself was in the same position and, therefore, could hardly suggest any solution for his problem. 'Umar, radi Allahu anhu, saw the man turn back, so he called him and enquired about the purpose of his visit. He said that he had come with a complaint against his wife, but turned back on seeing the Caliph in the same position. 'Umar, radi Allhu anhu, told him that he tolerated the excesses of his wife for she had certain rights against him. He said, "Is it not true that she prepares food for me, washes clothes for me and suckles my children, thus saving me the expense of employing a cook, a washerwoman and a nurse, though she is not legally obliged in any way to do any of these things? Besides, I enjoy peace of mind because of her and am kept away from indecent acts on account of her. I therefore tolerate all her excesses on account of these benefits. It is right that you should also adopt the same attitude." (Quoted in Role of Muslim Women in Society: Afzular Rahman, page 149) Salam alaikum Nuha

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

We have neither known of anyone who reported this story with its chain of narrators nor did we find anyone who clarified whether it is authentic or weak. Nonetheless, Al-Bujayrimi from the Shafi’i School of jurisprudence, mentioned it in his “Haashiyah” saying: “Note: It was reported that a man came to ‘Umar…”, so he mentioned it with the form which indicates uncertainty ‘it was reported’. Moreover, Ash-Shablanji (Egyptian) quoted it from Al-Bujayrimi in his book “Noor Al-Absaar Fi Manaaqib Aal Bayt An-Nabi Al-Akhyaar” when he mentioned the merits of ‘Umar .

Allaah Knows best.