Tafseer: The most comprehensive Aayah in regards to the rights of the wives

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Allaah تعالى says:

﴿وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ﴾

{And live with them honorably} [Surah al-Nisaa’ (4): 19]

And the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

خَيْرُكُمْ خَيْرُكُمْ لِأَهْلِهِ، وَأَنَا خَيْرُكُمْ لِأَهْلِي

“The best among you is he who is the best with his family. And verily, I am the best of you with my family.” [Sunan Ibn Maajah (1977), and Sunan al-Tirmidhee (3895) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

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Tafseer al-Muyassar (by a group of prominent scholars):

Your dwelling and companionship with your wife should be based on (kindness), respect, love, and by fulfilling her rights which she has upon you.

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Tafseer Ibn Katheer:

Allaah تعالى said:

﴿وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ﴾

{And live with them honorably}, by saying kind words to them, treating them kindly and making your appearance appealing for them, as much as you can, just as you like the same from them.

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Tafseer Al-Sa`dee:

Allaah تعالى then said:

﴿وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ﴾

{And live with them honorably} [Surah al-Nisaa’ (4): 19]

This includes good treatment in speech and actions. It is upon the husband to live with his wife honorably, and with beautiful companionship, and refraining from harming her (with his words or actions), and extending favors upon her, and treating them with kindness (or dealing with them in fairness). Included in this is feeding them, clothing them and something similar (example: providing for their medical treatment etc.). So it is upon the husband to provide for his wife according to the living standards of that era and place; and this varies from society to society.

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