Some of the rights of the wife over the husband after marriage according to the Quran
- The right to receive the mahr (dowry), which is a gift from the husband to the wife as a token of respect and honour. The mahr should be given with a good heart and without delay. Allah says
وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلنِّسَاۤءَ صَدُقَـٰتِهِنَّ نِحۡلَةࣰۚ فَإِن طِبۡنَ لَكُمۡ عَن شَیۡءࣲ مِّنۡهُ نَفۡسࣰا فَكُلُوهُ هَنِیۤـࣰٔا مَّرِیۤـࣰٔا
“And give women their dowries as a gift. But if they give up willingly to you anything of it, then take it in satisfaction and ease.” [Quran 4:4]
- The right to be provided with adequate spending and accommodation, according to the husband's means and ability. The husband should not be stingy or miserly towards his wife, but rather generous and kind. Allah says:
ٱلرِّجَالُ قَوَّ ٰمُونَ عَلَى ٱلنِّسَاۤءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ بَعۡضَهُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضࣲ وَبِمَاۤ أَنفَقُوا۟ مِنۡ أَمۡوَ ٰلِهِمۡۚ
“Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth…” [Quran 4:34]
- The right to be treated with kindness, fairness, and respect. The husband should not harm his wife physically, verbally, or emotionally, but rather be gentle, compassionate, and courteous. He should also deal justly with her if he has other wives. Allah says
یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا یَحِلُّ لَكُمۡ أَن تَرِثُوا۟ ٱلنِّسَاۤءَ كَرۡهࣰاۖ وَلَا تَعۡضُلُوهُنَّ لِتَذۡهَبُوا۟ بِبَعۡضِ مَاۤ ءَاتَیۡتُمُوهُنَّ إِلَّاۤ أَن یَأۡتِینَ بِفَـٰحِشَةࣲ مُّبَیِّنَةࣲۚ وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِۚ فَإِن كَرِهۡتُمُوهُنَّ فَعَسَىٰۤ أَن تَكۡرَهُوا۟ شَیۡـࣰٔا وَیَجۡعَلَ ٱللَّهُ فِیهِ خَیۡرࣰا كَثِیرࣰا
Allah says: “O you who have believed, it is not lawful for you to inherit women by compulsion. And do not make difficulties for them in order to take [back] part of what you gave them unless they commit a clear immorality. And live with them in kindness. For if you dislike them - perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah makes therein much good.” [Quran 4:19]
And:
وَلَن تَسۡتَطِیعُوۤا۟ أَن تَعۡدِلُوا۟ بَیۡنَ ٱلنِّسَاۤءِ وَلَوۡ حَرَصۡتُمۡۖ فَلَا تَمِیلُوا۟ كُلَّ ٱلۡمَیۡلِ فَتَذَرُوهَا كَٱلۡمُعَلَّقَةِۚ وَإِن تُصۡلِحُوا۟ وَتَتَّقُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ غَفُورࣰا رَّحِیمࣰا
“And you will never be able to be equal [in feeling] between wives, even if you should strive [to do so]. So do not incline completely [toward one] and leave another hanging. And if you amend [your affairs] and fear Allah - then indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.” [Quran 4:129]
- The right to be consulted and involved in matters that affect her and the family. The husband should not make decisions without seeking his wife's opinion and consent, especially on major issues. He should also respect her views and suggestions, and value her contribution. Allah says
وَلَهُنَّ مِثۡلُ ٱلَّذِی عَلَیۡهِنَّ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِۚ
“And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them in kindness…” [Quran 2:228]
And,
وَأَمۡرُهُمۡ شُورَىٰ بَیۡنَهُمۡ
And: “And whose affair is [determined by] consultation among themselves…” [Quran 42:38]
Consultation is not only recommended for political and social matters, but also for personal and family issues. It is a sign of humility and trust to seek counsel from others.
- The right to keep her own name, identity, and property. The husband should not force his wife to change her name or adopt his surname after marriage. He should also not interfere with her personal belongings or assets, unless she permits him. He should respect her privacy and dignity.
وَلَا تَتَمَنَّوۡا۟ مَا فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦ بَعۡضَكُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضࣲۚ لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصِیبࣱ مِّمَّا ٱكۡتَسَبُوا۟ۖ وَلِلنِّسَاۤءِ نَصِیبࣱ مِّمَّا ٱكۡتَسَبۡنَۚ وَسۡـَٔلُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦۤۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُلِّ شَیۡءٍ عَلِیمࣰا
And do not long for things by which Allah has given superiority to some of you over others; for men is the share of what they earn; and for women the share from what they earn; and seek from Allah His munificence; indeed Allah knows everything. [Quran 4:32]
The verse further instructs both men and women to ask Allah for His bounty and grace, instead of envying others or competing with them. This is because Allah is the source of all good and He knows what is best for everyone. He gives according to His wisdom and justice, and He rewards everyone according to their deeds and intentions.