he should keep her; if he dislikes her, he should part with her. If he dislikes her, it is unlawful for him to retain her and make life difficult for her until she pays to secure her release, even if she has committed indecency, whether adultery, marital defiance, or abusive speech. Allah, Almighty and Majestic, says:
“If you wish to replace one wife with another, and you have given one of them a great amount, do not take any of it back. Would you take it through slander and manifest sin?” [al-Nisā’: 20]
“How could you take it back when you have been intimate with one another and they have taken from you a solemn covenant?” [al-Nisā’: 21]
This is the position of Mālik and all his companions, without disagreement among them. Some scholars, however, permit a man who discovers that his wife has committed adultery to retain her and make life difficult for her until she pays to secure her release, citing the words of Allah, Almighty and Majestic:
“Do not make difficulties for them in order to take back some of what you have given them, unless they commit manifest indecency.” [al-Nisā’: 19]
They interpret “manifest indecency” here as adultery and construe the exception as qualifying the preceding prohibition. Others interpret “manifest indecency” as hatred, marital defiance, and abusive speech. They therefore permit a husband whose wife hates him, defies him, and speaks abusively to him to retain her and make life difficult for her until she pays to secure her release.
Others understand indecency in a general sense and permit the husband to do this whether her indecency consists of adultery, marital defiance, abusive speech, or anything else. The correct position is that of Mālik, may Allah have mercy on him. For if he makes life difficult for her until she pays to secure her release, he has taken her wealth without her willing consent. Allah has permitted this only with her willing consent, saying:
“But if they willingly give up to you any part of it, then enjoy it with pleasure and satisfaction.” [al-Nisā’: 4]
The verse they cite provides no evidence for their position, because “manifest indecency” concerns speech: her speaking abusively to him, reviling his honour, and disobeying his commands. Every occurrence of “indecency” in the Quran qualified by “manifest” concerns speech, whereas every unqualified occurrence refers to adultery. The exception mentioned in the verse is disjunctive. Thus, the verse means: “But if they defy you and disobey your commands, whatever you take of their wealth is lawful for you.” This means when it is given with their willing consent. Such consent can exist only when the husbands have neither harmed them nor made life difficult for them. On this interpretation, the Quranic verses accord with one another and do not conflict. Other interpretations of the verse have been offered, but this is the best.