Wife

A wife is a female partner in a continuing marital relationship.
The term continues to be applied to a woman who has separated from her partner, and ceases to be applied to such a woman only when her marriage has come to an end, following a legally recognized divorce or the death of her spouse. On the death of her partner, a wife is referred to as a widow, but not after she is divorced from her partner.

68037

Husband . Wife

Can a husband and wife hold hands in public?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 2 weeks ago

Yes they are allowed to hold hands in public provided that:

1. her hands above the wrists should not be shown to outsider men .

2. Holding hands in public should not encourage sinful acts or sinful habits.

3. Holding hands in public should not create doubt about their characters in the minds of people who see them.

Wassalam.

67547

Wife . Mut'a (Temporary marriage)

Is it disliked by the Imams (a) that a person who already has a wife does Muta on the basis that it is an option for those who cannot have a permanent wife?

The aim of Mut’ah marriage is to save people from falling into sinful
sexual acts. Those who don’t have a permanent wife or those who are
away from their wife can take the benefit from this type of Islamic
marriage which is a time fixed marriage to save themselves from
falling into sinful acts. The Holy Prophet (SAWA) and the infallible
Imams (AS) warned against hurting the feelings of anyone
specially your near ones like your wife. If the person who has a wife
with him does anything which causes pain and injury to her feelings,
he should avoid such act. Even if he does need it to save
himself from sexual sins, he must not cause any harm t his wife.

Wassalam.

67117

Wife . Husband . Salah (Prayers)

Is it true that a wife is not allowed to pray next to her husband but has to pray behind him? If so, what is the reason?

It is a matter of respect to the female not to be seen bending her body in front of a man, even if he is her father or husband or son or brother. Although we can not say for sure that this is the only reason, as the rules from Allah (SWT) are based on our benefit which best known to Him and we might not be able to understand all of it.

Wassalam.

66128

Obedience . Islam . Wife . Husband

In regards to obedience in Islam, does a wife have to obey every single thing a husband tells her (within the folds of Islam) without any questions asked ?

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answered 1 month ago

65468

Man . Wife . Burial

Is it permissible for a man to perform the final rites of his wife such as bathing, shrouding and burial?

Mateen Charbonneau, Sheikh Mateen Joshua Charbonneau achieved a certificate from Harvard University in Islamic Studies. He undertook Howza classes under esteemed scholars since 2013 and has been teaching at Imam Mahdi... Answered 1 month ago

Yes it is permissible.

65265

Husband . Wife

Can a husband dictate to his wife the type and colour of clothes she wears regardless of her own tastes?

Seyed Ali Shobayri, Seyed Ali Shobayri is of mixed Iranian and Scottish descent who found the path of the Ahlul Bayt (a) by his own research. He holds a BA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University through the... Answer updated 1 month ago

Bismillah

Asalamu Alaykom,

If a husband has good intentions and wants to prevent his wife from wearing very bright colours outside which would draw attention, then this is something good. Hijab has many different aspects and clothes which draw attention of non-mahrams, should be avoided.

If however you are speaking about clothes worn inside the house or in settings where there are only mahrams, then both spouses should try to wear those things which each other would like. Marriage isn’t a dictatorship though so both should speak about things and have a right to wear some things that they like.

May Allah grant you success

65303

Wife . Employment . Househusband

Is it allowed that a wife goes to work while a husband stays at home in the circumstance that he is unable to find a job and is looking for one?

Bismillah,

Asalamu alaykom,

It is the responsibility upon the husband to provide for his wife and his family. Even if a woman works and earns more money than her husband, she would not be obliged to give any of it to him. However, a mutual agreement between the husband and wife is allowed in Islam. So if the wife has chosen to work and share her earnings with her husband while he looks for a job, then this would be allowed. We find that roles may switch in this day and age where a woman may work and the husband may take up house and child duties.

The husband should know that it isn’t obligatory for his wife to work and if he forced this responsibility upon her, then he has neglected his martial duties and violated her rights. A woman may choose to work as long as the Islamic conditions are fulfilled.

May Allah grant you success.

62635

Family . Christians . Wife . Conversion to Islam

I am married to a Muslim convert whose father is an atheist and the rest of the family are non-practicing Christians who try to influence my wife. To what extent should I keep a relationship with them?

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 3 months ago

Bismihi ta'ala

You have a great responsibility on your shoulders, in not only honouring your revert wife in the best way you can, but also showing the highest standards of Islamic Akhlaq to your in-laws. You represent Islam, and they see Islam through you. Even though they might be atheists, or followers of a religion, for you it is of utmost importance to conduct yourself in the best way possible.

Your wife also has an important duty in trying to maintain the relationship between the two families as civil as possible. Along with her studying about religion and deepening her understanding of Islam, she can also engage in polite and productive discussions with them.

When she does this, there will be no concern from your side that she is being negatively influenced. If she is strong enough in her faith, then even if a discussion becomes heated, it will not effect her.

Yes, it might be frustrating from your side, and all you want to do is just socialise with your in-laws, but they bring up topics that might aggravate you.

The extent of the relationship is that you honour them, as your in-laws, and that you avoid arguments or anything that would tension things between you and them.

You should maintain patience, and think of the bigger responsibility you have. Always do dua for them, and pray for their hidayah.

With prayers for your success.

62639

Wife . Divorce

Is Talaq given in a state of impurity after having intercourse with wife considered a valid divorce? Is it necessary for any witness to be present at the time of giving divorce?

Bismihi ta'ala

There are two important points for the first part of this question:

1. The Islamic divorce can only take place while the wife is in tuhr, which means she is outside her monthly menstrual cycle (haydh or nifas).

2. This tuhr time is also a time where there has been no conjugal relation between husband and wife. If wife is in tuhr, but they did have conjugal relation, they must wait until her next menstrual cycle to finish, and after that husband can perform divorce.

If these two conditions are not met, talaq will be invalid.

For second part of question, yes, it is a wajib condition for there to be "just" witnesses, which means a minimum of two highly pious and righteous male witnesses.

And Allah knows best.

61428

Husband . Wife

If a husband does not like to acknowledge his second wife in public being concerned about his reputation and how people will react to it, how should the second wife deal with this situation?

I am sorry to hear about this challenging situation.

The ideal and example of the Prophet (S) is that marriage is public and, unless someone is living in a cave, there are a lot of questions and awkward situations that will come up if a woman is married secretly.

It is wrong to put someone under that kind of stress and pressure, and it is not healthy for the man or the woman.

Apart from the social challenges, marriage is one of the most important things in a person's life, and it is psychologically unhealthy to have to hide that from the world. Part of having a family is the social aspect of family, not just the private relationship between a husband and wife.

However, unfortunately, life isn't ideal. I am assuming the woman agreed to this situation when getting into it. Maybe - like most things in life - they didn't understand what it would be like long term, or they thought (or were told) things might change.

The only real options are: (a) try to convince the man to change his mind, (b) try to see if it is possible to make any life changes (such as moving to a different country) which would make secrecy unnecessary, (c) find coping mechanisms to deal with the situation personally and socially, and be patient, (d) leave the marriage, or (e) pray that Allah provides another option.

Life is a test, and in the end, what is important is how we navigate the tests in front of us, whether we are able to do it with faith and good ethics or not. I hope and pray the situation gets easier for all concerned!

Husband . Wife

If a husband does not like to acknowledge his second wife in public being concerned about his reputation and how people will react to it, how should the second wife deal with this situation?

There is no condition in marriage according to Ahlul Bayt (A) to declare the marriage in public. Witness on marriage is recommended and not obligatory If there was a condition agreed by both of them to announce the mae in public, then fulfilling the condition will be obligatory, but if there was no such condition and the husband feels danger on his reputation, then wife should consider listening to her husband and avoiding harming him.

Wassalam.

59898

Husband . Wife

What are the Islamic legal implications for a husband who does not provide maintenance for his wife?

Abbas Di Palma, Shaykh Abbas Di Palma holds a BA and an MA degree in Islamic Studies, and certifications from the Language Institute of Damascus University. He has also studied traditional Islamic sciences in... Answered 4 months ago

as salam alaikum

if the wife observes her husband's conjugal rights and he is financially able to provide for her, she should try to convince him with good advice and persuade him to rectify his conduct. If he is not willing to do that, she can involve other people that she thinks may have influence on him (like relatives and friends). If this also doesn't work she may refer to an Islamic Judge who should decide the best reconciliatory course to the matter. Then, if he sees that there is no better option available, he may divorce them at wife's request.

With prayers for your success.