Islam_in_Focus_text

vision of Iabor and role of differentiation. It does not, how-
ever, mean any categorical discrimination or superiority of
one sex to the other/
'
}
A. The Wife's Rights: The Husband's Obligations.
Translated into rules of behavior, these ethical principles al-
locate to the wife certain rights and corresponding obliga-
tions. Because the Qur'an and the Sunna of the Prophet have
commanded kindness to women, it is the husband's duty to
consort with his wife in an equitable and kind manner. One
specific consequence of this Divine command is his respon-
sibiiity for the full maintenance of the wife, a duty which he
must discharge cheerfully, without reproach, injury, or con-
descendence.
Components of Maintenance. Maintenance entails the
wife's incontestable right to lodging, clothing, nourishing,
and general care and well-being. The wife's residence must
be adequate so as to provide her with the reasonable level of
privacy, comfort, and independen.ee. Foremost is the welfare
of the wife and the stability of the marriage. What is true of
the residence is true of elothing, food, and general care. The
4) This degree question has been misunderstood by Muslims and
non-Muslims alike. We dealt with the whole matter in great detail in The
Family Sinicture in Islam. Our conclusion i s that the verse does not say
men are better or worse than women. Nor does i t say what excellence
really refers to, let alone identify it with manhood or womanhood.