Texts from the Qur’aan and Sunnah enjoining the wife to obey her husband
Fatwa No: 8083

Question

What is the Hadeeth (narration) that states that a wife should fully obey her husband, of course in what Allaah The Almighty permits as in the Qur’an and the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition)?

Answer

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, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

 

There are many texts in the Qur’an and Sunnah indicating that a wife is obliged to obey her husband as long as he does not order her to commit anything that is forbidden. For example, Allaah The Exalted Says (which means): {“Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allaah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth.”} [Quran, 4:34]

Also, Allaah The Exalted Says (what means):{“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 [in responsibility and authority]. ”} [Quran, 2:228]

As for the Hadeeths, it was reported on the authority of ‘Abdur Rahmaan ibn ’Awf that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “If a woman prays her five [prayers], fasts her month [of Ramadan], guards her private parts (i.e. chastity), and obeys her husband, she will enter Paradise from whichever gate she chooses.” [Ahmad and Ibn Hibbaan]

In another wording: “It will be said to her: 'Enter Paradise from whichever gate you like.’”

Furthermore, Husayn ibn Mihsan narrated on the authority of his aunt that she went to ask the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, about some matter, and when he had dealt with it, he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, asked her: Do you have a husband?” She said, “Yes.” Whereupon, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, asked her: “How are you with him?” She said, “I never fall short in doing anything for him, except for that which is beyond my capacity.” The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Pay attention to how you treat him, for he is your Paradise and your Hell.” [Maalik and Al-Haakim] Undeniably, there are countless Islamic texts in this regard.

Allaah Knows best.

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