Chapter: ʿIshrah (spousal companionship)

Introduction

The word ʿishrah—pronounced with a kasrah on the ʿayn and a silent shīn—linguistically signifies social mixing and close association, as in one’s ʿashīrah (kin). The Exalted says, “And warn your nearest kindred” (al-Shuʿarāʾ 26:214).

In the legal sense it refers to the harmony, concord, affection, and good companionship that ought to prevail between husband and wife. Both the Noble Qur’an and the purified Sunnah urge, command, and encourage it.

Allah, the Most High, says: “And live with them in kindness” (al-Nisāʾ 4:19); and He says: “And for them is a right similar to that upon them, according to what is acceptable” (al-Baqarah 2:228).

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “The best of you is the one who is best to his family, and I am the best of you to my family.”

As for the wife’s duty toward her husband, Allah says: “Men are guardians over women” (al-Nisāʾ 4:34); and He says: “And for men, there is a degree over them” (al-Baqarah 2:228).

The Prophet ﷺ said, “Had I been commanded to order anyone to prostrate to another, I would have ordered a woman to prostrate to her husband.”

Therefore each spouse is obliged to treat the other with kindness: neither may withhold the other’s due, show aversion to fulfilling it, or burden the other with harm or condescending favors. It is forbidden to procrastinate over what is obligatory or to show reluctance, and it is mandatory to discharge every duty and legitimate right.

Shaykh Taqī al-Dīn said: A husband’s rights over his wife are that she honor and revere him, live with him graciously, obey him in all matters that do not involve disobedience to Allah, meet his just requests and reasonable desires, share in his joys and sorrows, safeguard him with respect to her person