then what of her when he calls her and she refuses? In the two Sahīh collections, the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“When a man calls his wife to his bed and she refuses, the angels curse her until morning.”

Another wording states:

“The One in heaven is displeased with her until morning.”

Allah Most High has said:

“So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in their husbands’ absence what Allah has commanded them to guard.”

A righteous woman is thus one who is “devoutly obedient,” meaning steadfast in obeying her husband. Whenever she refuses his call to bed, she is sinful and guilty of marital disobedience. This makes it permissible for him to strike her, as Allah Most High has said:

“As for those whose disobedience you fear, admonish them, forsake them in bed, and strike them. But if they obey you, seek no means against them.”

After the rights of Allah and His Messenger, no right is more binding upon a woman than her husband’s. Indeed, the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“If I were to command anyone to prostrate to another, I would command a woman to prostrate to her husband, so great is his right over her.”

It is also reported of him—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—that women said to him:

“Men strive in battle, give charity, and perform other deeds, while we do not do those things.” He replied, “The good conduct of any one of you is equal to that.”

This means that when a woman treats her husband well, this brings her Allah’s pleasure and honour, without her having to undertake the deeds specific to men. And Allah knows best.