Answered by: Imam Abdul-Malik Sheikh
Question
Do any scholars hold the opinion that saying things like “loving one’s wife” isn’t correct in a Shar’ī point of view?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
The above verse is in reference to marital discord. The translation of the meaning of the verse is:
“If they both wish for peace, Allah will cause their reconciliation” (Sūrah an-Nisa:35)
Ibn ‘Abbas gives the following explanation of the above verse:
“Allah commands that a righteous man from the husband’s side of the family and the wife’s side of the family are appointed so that they find out who among the spouses is in the wrong. If the man is in the wrong, they prevent him from his wife, and he pays some restitution. If the wife is in the wrong, she remains with her husband, and he does not pay any restitution. If the arbitrators decide that the marriage should remain intact or be dissolved, then their decision is upheld. If they decide that the marriage remains intact, but one of the spouses disagrees while the other agrees, and one of them dies, then the one who agreed inherits from the other, while the spouse who did not agree does not inherit from the spouse who agreed.”
Showing love and affection towards one’s wife is permissible and it can be set as one of the objectives of marriage in Islam.
Allāh says:
“And (it is one) of His signs that He has created spouses for you from your own species that you may find comfort in them. And He has induced mutual love and tenderness between you. Behold! there are signs in this for a people who would reflect.” Sūrah at-Rum:21)
Showing love and affection towards wives is from the prophetic Sunnah.
The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said: “The best of you is the one who is best to his wife, and I am the best of you to my wives.” (Reported by Ibn Mājah)
Our example is the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ. There are numerous narrations that clearly illustrate his love and affection for his wives. For example, our mother A’ishah narrates: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to put his mouth on the place where I had drunk from, and he would drink from what was leftover by me, while I was menstruating.” (Reported by an-Nasā’i)
Reference:
Tafsīr al-Qur’ān al-Azīm of Ibn Kathīr, Vol.1, p.655, Dar Ibn Bādis, Algiers..
Only Allah knows best
Written by Imam Abdul-Malik Sheikh
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham