Islam on Marital Rights — Page 38
38. ISLAM ON MARITAL RIGHTS. Prominent divines and scholars of Islam have expressed the same views on this subject. For instance Mujahid has interpreted the Quranic injunction," incline not wholly" thus: "Do not incline wholly towards one wife so as to deprive the others of their lawful rights, e. g. , their proper share of funds for subsistence, their share of association with the husband, etc. Nor should you consign any one of them to the plight of a woman without a husband or a widow. " (Ibn-i-Jarir. ). The Holy Quran has also expounded the true sense of parity between wives. It says that so far as the inner feelings of the mind are concerned it is impossible for a man to love all his wives equally, God says: “And you cannot keep perfect balance between wives, however much you may desire it. " (4:130). . But he is required to treat them with equity in all other respects. . His stay with each of them should be of equal duration; the provisions for each should be of equal value. . THE RIGHTS OF THE WIFE. In the light of the duties of the husband explained above, the wife's rights would be as follows: 1. The husband should respect and be very mindful of the susceptibilities of his wife. 2. He should try to be a source of comfort to his wife and behave in a manner that she is convinced that she alone is the center of his love and affection. 3. He should provide for all her reasonable needs and, keeping within his means, should be disposed to spending in that respect with an open hand. 4. The husband should participate in the management of the house by giving a hand in the household chores of his spouse. 5. He should look after her health and be always anxious about it.