Husband Spends All Night With Friends and Neglects Her Rights
Fatwa No: 389389

Question

Salam aleikum I wonder what islam say about husbands running out in the night/all night , spending time with their friend , going to coffeashops etc. And leaving wife sitting Home alone . When i say to my husband its wifes right her husband spend time with she he answer its not true bcz all sahabas was in jihad or busy out and nobody spending time with wifes.

Answer

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

The husband is Islamically enjoined to maintain good marital relations with his wife. Allah Says (what means): {And live with them in kindness.} [Quran 4:19]

As-Saadi commented on this verse saying: "The husband must be kind to his wife; he must live with her in kindness, avoid harming her, be generous to her, and treat her well." [End of quote]

Therefore, the one who spends the night with his friends neglecting his wife contradicts these beautiful meanings.

The Prophet who was the master of all the Mujahideen and the one who was running the matters of this entire Ummah, was not preoccupied by all this from fulfilling the rights of his wives.

The Prophet said: “The best amongst you, are those who are the best to their wives, and I am the best to my wives.” [Ibn Maajah and At-Tirmithi]

Al-Bukhaari listed a chapter in his Saheeh, which he entitled: Chapter: "Talking with the family and the guests after the 'Ishaa’ prayer"; and he mentioned in this chapter a long Hadeeth reflecting this meaning.

It is a lie to say that the companions were busy outside their homes and no one was spending time with his wife.

Al-Bukhaari also listed a chapter in his Saheeh, which he entitled: "Your wife has a right over you"; in this Chapter he mentioned the Hadeeth by ‘Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn Al-‘Aas who narrated that the Prophet said (to him): "O ‘Abdullah! Have I not been informed that you fast every day and stand in prayer all night (every night)?" I said, 'Yes, O Prophet of Allah!' He said, 'Do not do so! Observe the fast sometimes and refrain from it at other times; stand up in prayer at night but also sleep at night. Indeed, your body has a right over you, your eyes have a right over you and your wife has a right over you.'" [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Therefore, this is one of the rights of the wife upon her husband. Hence, your husband must fear Allah, and fulfill your right upon him in the same manner that you have to fulfill his right upon you; this is how you attain stability and everyone becomes happy.

For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 125242, 134654, 330313 and 330352.

Also, for the spouses' rights and duties toward each other, you may refer to Fataawa 85308 and 83157,

Allah knows best.

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