In Islam, the relationship between husband and wife is built on love, mercy, respect, and justice. The Qur’an emphasizes the rights of wives as a cornerstone of family harmony and a reflection of faith. Sadly, many misconceptions exist about women’s role in Islam, but the Qur’an provides clear guidance on fairness, compassion, and responsibility within marriage.
This article explores 30 Quranic verses about wife rights, helping us understand how Islam honors women and safeguards their dignity. Alongside these verses, we will discuss their power, significance, and practical steps to live by them in daily life.
Table of Contents
1. Quranic verse on kindness to wives
Arabic:
وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ
Transliteration:
Wa ‘āshirūhunna bil-maʿrūf
Translation:
“Live with them in kindness.” (Qur’an 4:19)
2. Quranic verse about love and mercy
Arabic:
وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً
Transliteration:
Wa jaʿala baynakum mawaddatan wa raḥmah
Translation:
“And He placed between you affection and mercy.” (Qur’an 30:21)
3. Quranic verse about women’s rights in dowry
Arabic:
وَآتُوا النِّسَاءَ صَدُقَاتِهِنَّ نِحْلَةً
Transliteration:
Wa ātū an-nisāʾa ṣaduqātihinna niḥlah
Translation:
“Give the women their dowries graciously.” (Qur’an 4:4)
4. Quranic verse about fairness in marriage
Arabic:
فَإِن كَرِهْتُمُوهُنَّ فَعَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَيَجْعَلَ اللَّهُ فِيهِ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا
Transliteration:
Fa in karihtumūhunna fa ʿasā an takrahū shayʾan wa yajʿala Allāhu fīhi khayran kathīrā
Translation:
“If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike something, and Allah brings much good through it.” (Qur’an 4:19)
5. Quranic verse about equality in rights
Arabic:
وَلَهُنَّ مِثْلُ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ
Transliteration:
Wa lahunna mithlu alladhī ʿalayhinna bil-maʿrūf
Translation:
“And due to them is similar to what is expected of them, according to what is reasonable.” (Qur’an 2:228)
6. Quranic verse about men as protectors
Arabic:
الرِّجَالُ قَوَّامُونَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ
Transliteration:
Ar-rijāl qawwāmūna ʿalā an-nisāʾ
Translation:
“Men are protectors and maintainers of women.” (Qur’an 4:34)
7. Quranic verse about spouses as garments
Arabic:
هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ لَّكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لِبَاسٌ لَّهُنَّ
Transliteration:
Hunna libāsun lakum wa antum libāsun lahunna
Translation:
“They are clothing for you, and you are clothing for them.” (Qur’an 2:187)
8. Quranic verse about justice among wives
Arabic:
فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا فَوَاحِدَةً
Transliteration:
Fa in khiftum allā taʿdilū fawāḥidah
Translation:
“But if you fear you will not be just, then [marry only] one.” (Qur’an 4:3)
9. Quranic verse about not harming wives
Arabic:
وَلَا تُمْسِكُوهُنَّ ضِرَارًا لِّتَعْتَدُوا
Transliteration:
Wa lā tumsikūhunna ḍirāran litaʿtadū
Translation:
“Do not retain them to harm them so you transgress.” (Qur’an 2:231)
10. Quranic verse about inheritance rights
Arabic:
وَلَهُنَّ الرُّبُعُ مِمَّا تَرَكْتُمْ
Transliteration:
Wa lahunna ar-rubʿu mimmā taraktum
Translation:
“And for them is one-fourth of what you leave.” (Qur’an 4:12)
11. Quranic verse on mutual protection
Arabic:
بَعْضُكُم مِّن بَعْضٍ
Transliteration:
Ba‘ḍukum min ba‘ḍ
Translation:
“You are of one another.” (Qur’an 3:195)
12. Quranic verse on good treatment even in divorce
Arabic:
فَسَرِّحُوهُنَّ سَرَاحًا جَمِيلًا
Transliteration:
Fasarriḥūhunna sarāḥan jamīlā
Translation:
“Then release them in a gracious release.” (Qur’an 33:49)
13. Quranic verse about responsibility for provisions
Arabic:
وَعَلَى الْمَوْلُودِ لَهُ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَكِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ
Transliteration:
Wa ʿalā al-mawlūd lahu rizquhunna wa kiswatuhunna bil-maʿrūf
Translation:
“Upon the father is the mothers’ provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable.” (Qur’an 2:233)
14. Quranic verse about not taking back dowry unjustly
Arabic:
وَلَا تَعْضُلُوهُنَّ لِتَذْهَبُوا بِبَعْضِ مَا آتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ
Transliteration:
Wa lā ta‘ḍulūhunna liththahabū biba‘ḍi mā ātaytumūhunna
Translation:
“And do not make difficulties for them in order to take back part of what you gave them.” (Qur’an 4:19)
15. Quranic verse about honoring contracts in marriage
Arabic:
وَأَخَذْنَ مِنكُم مِّيثَاقًا غَلِيظًا
Transliteration:
Wa akhadhna minkum mīthāqan ghalīẓā
Translation:
“And they (wives) have taken from you a strong covenant.” (Qur’an 4:21)
16. Quranic verse about treating wives justly
Arabic:
فَإِن جَاءُوكُمُ الْمُؤْمِنَاتُ فَامْتَحِنُوهُنَّ … فَإِنْ عَلِمْتُمُوهُنَّ مُؤْمِنَاتٍ فَلَا تَرْجِعُوهُنَّ إِلَى الْكُفَّارِ
Transliteration:
Fa in jāʾūkum al-muʾminātu fa imtaḥinūhunna … fa in ʿalimtumūhunna muʾminātin fa-lā tarjiʿūhunna ilā al-kuffār
Translation:
“When believing women come to you as emigrants, examine them… If you know them to be believers, do not send them back to the disbelievers.” (Qur’an 60:10)
17. Quranic verse about respect in divorce
Arabic:
وَلَا تَنسَوُا الْفَضْلَ بَيْنَكُمْ
Transliteration:
Wa lā tansawū al-faḍla baynakum
Translation:
“And do not forget graciousness between you.” (Qur’an 2:237)
18. Quranic verse about supporting women fairly
Arabic:
وَآتُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ
Transliteration:
Wa ātūhunna ujūrahunna bil-maʿrūf
Translation:
“And give them their due compensation in a fair manner.” (Qur’an 4:25)
19. Quranic verse about treating wives without harm
Arabic:
وَلَا تُضَارُّوهُنَّ لِتُضَيِّقُوا عَلَيْهِنَّ
Transliteration:
Wa lā tuḍārrūhunna lituḍayyiqū ʿalayhinna
Translation:
“Do not harm them in order to oppress them.” (Qur’an 65:6)
20. Quranic verse about the sanctity of marriage
Arabic:
وَكَيْفَ تَأْخُذُونَهُ وَقَدْ أَفْضَىٰ بَعْضُكُمْ إِلَىٰ بَعْضٍ
Transliteration:
Wa kayfa taʾkhudhūnahu wa qad afḍā baʿḍukum ilā baʿḍ
Translation:
“How could you take it back while you have been intimate with each other?” (Qur’an 4:21)
21. Quranic verse about fairness in polygamy
Arabic:
وَلَن تَسْتَطِيعُوا أَن تَعْدِلُوا بَيْنَ النِّسَاءِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتُمْ
Transliteration:
Wa lan tastaṭīʿū an taʿdilū bayna an-nisāʾi walaw ḥaraṣtum
Translation:
“You will never be able to be perfectly just between wives, even if you should strive.” (Qur’an 4:129)
22. Quranic verse about provision for wives during waiting period
Arabic:
أَسْكِنُوهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ سَكَنتُم مِّن وُجْدِكُمْ
Transliteration:
Askhinūhunna min ḥaythu sakantum min wujdikum
Translation:
“House them (divorced women) where you dwell, according to your means.” (Qur’an 65:6)
23. Quranic verse about consultation in childrearing
Arabic:
فَإِنْ أَرَادَا فِصَالًا عَن تَرَاضٍ مِّنْهُمَا وَتَشَاوُرٍ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِمَا
Transliteration:
Fa in arādā fiṣālan ʿan tarāḍin minhumā watashāwur fa-lā junāḥa ʿalayhimā
Translation:
“If they both desire weaning through mutual consent and consultation, there is no blame upon them.” (Qur’an 2:233)
24. Quranic verse about equality in accountability
Arabic:
فَاسْتَجَابَ لَهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ أَنِّي لَا أُضِيعُ عَمَلَ عَامِلٍ مِّنكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ
Transliteration:
Fastajāba lahum rabbuhum annī lā uḍīʿu ʿamala ʿāmilin minkum min dhakarin aw unthā
Translation:
“So their Lord answered them, ‘I do not allow the work of any worker among you, male or female, to be lost.'” (Qur’an 3:195)
25. Quranic verse about mutual respect
Arabic:
وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِيمَا عَرَّضْتُم بِهِ مِنْ خِطْبَةِ النِّسَاءِ
Transliteration:
Wa lā junāḥa ʿalaykum fīmā ʿarraḍtum bihi min khiṭbati an-nisāʾ
Translation:
“There is no blame upon you for that to which you allude concerning a proposal to women.” (Qur’an 2:235)
26. Quranic verse about giving wives their rights in kindness
Arabic:
فَآتُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ فَرِيضَةً
Transliteration:
Fa ātūhunna ujūrahunna farīḍah
Translation:
“So give them their due compensation as an obligation.” (Qur’an 4:24)
27. Quranic verse about protecting wives’ dignity
Arabic:
وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ
Transliteration:
Wa al-muḥṣanātu mina al-muʾmināt
Translation:
“And [lawful in marriage are] chaste women from among the believers.” (Qur’an 5:5)
28. Quranic verse about prayer for family peace
Arabic:
رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ
Transliteration:
Rabbana hab lanā min azwājinā wa dhurriyyātinā qurrata aʿyun
Translation:
“Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes.” (Qur’an 25:74)
29. Quranic verse about forbidding injustice to wives
Arabic:
وَلَا تَتَبَدَّلُوا الْخَبِيثَ بِالطَّيِّبِ
Transliteration:
Wa lā tatabaddalū al-khabītha biṭ-ṭayyib
Translation:
“Do not exchange the bad for the good.” (Qur’an 4:2, applied to wealth and treatment, extended to fairness)
30. Quranic verse about mercy in relationships
Arabic:
وَاللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا
Transliteration:
Wa Allāhu jaʿala lakum min anfusikum azwājā
Translation:
“And Allah has made for you from yourselves spouses.” (Qur’an 16:72)
Read Also: 30 Quranic Verses on the Beauty of Nature
The Importance of Quranic Verses on Wife Rights
The Quranic verses about wife rights highlight one of the most essential aspects of Islamic family life: justice, kindness, and compassion within marriage. Islam views marriage as a sacred covenant (mithaq ghalīẓ), built upon love, respect, and responsibility. These verses are not just guidelines; they are divine commands that protect the dignity of women and ensure harmony in the household.
They Uphold Justice and Balance
Allah reminds us that women have rights equal to their responsibilities, based on fairness and kindness. As the Qur’an states, “And due to them is similar to what is expected of them, according to what is reasonable” (Qur’an 2:228). This establishes the principle of equity between husband and wife.
They Preserve the Dignity of Women
By granting women their rightful dowry, inheritance, and maintenance, the Qur’an ensures that wives are never treated as property but as honored partners in life. This protection reflects the mercy and justice of Allah.
They Strengthen the Bond of Love and Mercy
Marriage in Islam is not only a contract but also a source of emotional peace. Allah describes spouses as garments for one another—symbols of intimacy, protection, and comfort (Qur’an 2:187). This imagery shows the depth of love and care that should define the marital relationship.
They Promote Responsibility and Compassion
The Qur’an emphasizes that men are guardians over women, not as a form of superiority, but as a duty of responsibility, protection, and provision. This balance ensures that both partners fulfill their roles with accountability before Allah.
They Are a Path to Blessings in This Life and the Hereafter
Living by the Quranic verses on wife rights nurtures trust, peace, and faith within the family. A marriage rooted in Qur’anic guidance becomes a source of barakah (blessings) and a means of earning Allah’s pleasure.
In essence, these verses safeguard the honor of wives and set the foundation for a marriage built on respect, fairness, and compassion—values that benefit not only the couple but the entire family and society.
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Practical Steps to Complement Your Quranic Verses on Wife Rights
Learning and reciting Quranic verses about wife rights is only the first step. To truly live by these teachings, Muslims are encouraged to practice them in daily life. Here are some practical ways to complement your Quranic verses on wife rights:
Show Kindness in Words and Actions
The Qur’an emphasizes kindness as the foundation of marriage. Simple gestures such as speaking gently, showing appreciation, and being patient during disagreements reflect the command: “Live with them in kindness” (Qur’an 4:19).
Fulfill Financial and Emotional Responsibilities
Providing food, shelter, clothing, and emotional support is part of the husband’s obligation. These responsibilities are not just financial but also emotional, ensuring a secure and loving environment for the wife.
Maintain Fairness and Justice
Justice is at the core of Islamic family life. Whether in decision-making, dividing responsibilities, or resolving conflicts, fairness strengthens trust and prevents oppression. The Qur’an warns against favoritism and injustice in marriage (Qur’an 4:3).
Respect Women’s Legal and Financial Rights
Islam grants women rights to dowry, inheritance, and independent ownership of property. Honoring these rights protects their dignity and financial security, reflecting obedience to Allah’s guidance.
Practice Mercy and Forgiveness
No marriage is free from challenges. The Qur’an reminds us that Allah placed “affection and mercy” (Qur’an 30:21) between spouses. Forgiving mistakes and showing mercy maintains harmony and strengthens love.
Consult and Support Each Other
Marriage is a partnership built on mutual consultation. The Qur’an (Qur’an 2:233) encourages spouses to make decisions together, particularly about children and family matters, ensuring balance and understanding in the home.
Read Also: Top 30 Quranic Verses About Parents
Learn Quran and Islamic Studies with Riwaq Al Quran
If you want to deepen your understanding of the Quranic verses about wife rights and other aspects of Islamic teachings, Riwaq Al Quran offers a trusted path. With qualified teachers, structured programs, and flexible online classes, you can learn not only how to recite the Qur’an correctly but also understand its meanings and apply them in daily life.
Riwaq Al Quran provides:
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By joining Riwaq Al Quran, you don’t just learn to read the Qur’an; you learn to live by it, making your family relationships stronger and rooted in divine wisdom.
Enroll now and take the next step in your Quranic and Islamic learning journey.
Can I Read Quranic Verses in English Translation, or Only in Arabic?
When it comes to Quranic verses about wife rights, the original Arabic carries the full beauty, depth, and divine precision of Allah’s words. Reciting in Arabic preserves the exact meaning and rewards (thawab) of Qur’an recitation.
However, if you are learning or teaching, especially to children or new Muslims, reading or explaining these verses in English (or any other language) is absolutely encouraged. Translations help you understand the meaning, wisdom, and context of the verses.
For worship (e.g., prayer/ṣalāh): the verses must be recited in Arabic.
For learning, reflection, or teaching, you can use English (or your native language) alongside Arabic to grasp the message clearly.
In short: Arabic for worship, English for understanding—both are important to truly live by the Qur’an.
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Conclusion
The Quranic verses about wife rights serve as a divine guide for building marriages rooted in love, justice, and mutual respect. They remind us that marriage is not just a social contract but a sacred bond entrusted with responsibility, compassion, and fairness. By studying these verses, reflecting on their meanings, and applying them in daily life, couples can strengthen their relationship and fulfill the rights that Allah has prescribed.
Whether through practical steps, teaching children, or seeking structured learning with institutions like Riwaq Al Quran, the goal remains the same: to live according to the Quran’s timeless wisdom and ensure that our families thrive with harmony, dignity, and faith.
Ultimately, when we honor these divine teachings, we not only uplift our spouses but also bring barakah (blessings) into our homes and earn Allah’s pleasure.
