their rulings, their families, and every trust placed under their authority.” 1

If husband and wife understand this and live by it, Allah will grant them a wholesome life, and for as long as they remain together they will enjoy comfort and happiness. The Almighty says: “Whoever acts righteously, whether male or female, while being a believer, We shall surely grant them a goodly life, and We shall certainly reward them according to the best of what they used to do” (al-Naḥl 97).

Third: The wife in particular must obey her husband in whatever he instructs her, within the limits of her ability. This is one of the distinctions by which Allah has favored men over women, as indicated in the two verses already cited: “Men are caretakers over women” and “For men there is a degree over them.” Numerous sound hadiths reinforce this meaning, clearly outlining what a woman gains or forfeits depending on whether she obeys or disobeys her husband. It is therefore necessary to quote some of them, in the hope that