what is good—that is, keep it at a distance. In other words, do not hurl insults or curses, as when someone says, “May Allah ruin your face.”

– “And do not abandon her”: the particle lā here functions as a prohibition, while tahjur is a verb in the jussive mood because of lā. Al-hajr means forsaking and turning away. Further details on this point will be given when the hadith is explained, Allah willing.

• Points derived from the hadith

1. The report sets out certain mutual rights of the spouses. As for the husband, he must provide his wife with maintenance, housing, and clothing.
2. He must also withhold any harm from her: he is not to strike her, and if a situation arises that calls for disciplinary hitting, he must avoid the face—out of respect for it, because of its delicacy, and so that no disfiguring mark repels him from her.
3. He is to meet her with cheerfulness and an open countenance. Should she require reproach, let it be through words of guidance, not through obscene language or detested cursing.
4. He should put her at ease with kind speech and friendly conversation—especially affectionate talk. If discipline through shunning and refraining from speech becomes necessary, it must take place inside the home, not in front of others, so that her feelings are not hurt and she is not humiliated before people who might gloat over her, making her appear as one despised and abandoned.
   These are some of the behaviors required from a husband toward his wife.
5. The hadith therefore proves the obligation upon the husband to provide his wife’s maintenance, clothing, and lodging.
6. It also proves that the husband may discipline his wife when needed, provided that the general etiquettes and mercy are observed: if he shuns her, it should be a private shunning between the two of them, not in front of others; if he strikes her, it must not be on the face, nor on sensitive or noble parts of the body; and if he admonishes or reproaches, he must avoid foul expressions, hurtful words, insults, and curses.