Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
I want to know what is duty of a woman as a wife, if her husband is not religious enough. is it permissible for the wife to instruct her husband in the matters of faith? if he is not careful in discharging his duties, and gets upset that the wife tells him to, what options does a wife have within the boundaries of Islam.
It is necessary for a Muslim to command the good and to be of good counsel to others, particularly those one has relations or ties with.
However, the basis of commanding the good and giving counsel (nasiha) is that it must be done with respect, love, mercy, and gentleness. This is the way of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace), and this is the way that is successful.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said to A’isha (Allah be pleased with her), “Allah likes gentleness in all matters.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
One of the rights of the husband, as amir of the family, is that he be respected: this is required with him (and with one’s parents) even when he is in error.
See below for the fiqh of commanding the good and forbidding the wrong.
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani
Imam Abu Hanifa (Allah have mercy on him) said, “Fiqh is to know one’s self: what is for it and against it.”