Short answer
A husband's rights include his wife's obedience in what is reasonable and not sinful, her company in intimacy unless she has a valid excuse, not admitting people he dislikes to the home, guarding his honour and property, and asking his permission before leaving home or keeping voluntary fasts. The four schools agree on these basics.
The wife should obey her husband in what is reasonable (ma'ruf) and not sinful, respond to him for intimacy unless there is a valid excuse, stay in the marital home and ask his permission before going out except for needs the law allows, and protect his property and honour. Housework is expected of her as a matter of religion and custom, but a court cannot force it.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
Allah made the husband responsible for leading and providing for the family (4:34), and this responsibility comes with rights. The Prophet ﷺ said that if he were to order anyone to prostrate to another person, he would have ordered a wife to prostrate to her husband, showing how great his right is. These rights are never a licence for harshness, and the husband must first meet his own duties.
His main rights:
- Obedience in what is good. There is no obedience in sin. He cannot order her to drop prayer, uncover, or cut ties with her parents.
- Intimacy. She should not refuse him without a valid reason, such as illness, her period or real harm. He in turn must be gentle and attentive.
- The home. She does not let in anyone he dislikes, and does not leave the home without his permission, except to visit her parents and for needs the books allow.
- Trust. She guards his property, his secrets and her chastity in his absence.
- Voluntary fasts. She asks him before a nafl fast when he is home. Ramadan needs no permission.
On housework, the Hanafi position is subtle. Fatimah, the Prophet's ﷺ daughter, did the work of her home, and scholars say a wife should do so as part of religion and good custom. But it is not a legal right he can force in court. If she cannot or will not, he must provide prepared food or help. Most couples settle this by kindness, not rules.
See also rights of the wife and our longer guide on rights of husband and wife.
The evidence
Quran, Surah An-Nisaa 4:34
ٱلرِّجَالُ قَوَّٰمُونَ عَلَى ٱلنِّسَآءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍۢ وَبِمَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ مِنْ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ ۚ فَٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتُ قَٰنِتَٰتٌ حَٰفِظَٰتٌۭ لِّلْغَيْبِ بِمَا حَفِظَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَٱلَّٰتِى تَخَافُونَ نُشُوزَهُنَّ فَعِظُوهُنَّ وَٱهْجُرُوهُنَّ فِى ٱلْمَضَاجِعِ وَٱضْرِبُوهُنَّ ۖ فَإِنْ أَطَعْنَكُمْ فَلَا تَبْغُوا۟ عَلَيْهِنَّ سَبِيلًا ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيًّۭا كَبِيرًۭا ﴿٣٤﴾
Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband's] absence what Allah would have them guard. But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance - [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them. But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted and Grand.
The husband carries the responsibility and leadership of the family.
Quran, Surah Al-Baqara 2:228
وَٱلْمُطَلَّقَٰتُ يَتَرَبَّصْنَ بِأَنفُسِهِنَّ ثَلَٰثَةَ قُرُوٓءٍۢ ۚ وَلَا يَحِلُّ لَهُنَّ أَن يَكْتُمْنَ مَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ فِىٓ أَرْحَامِهِنَّ إِن كُنَّ يُؤْمِنَّ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْءَاخِرِ ۚ وَبُعُولَتُهُنَّ أَحَقُّ بِرَدِّهِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ إِنْ أَرَادُوٓا۟ إِصْلَٰحًۭا ۚ وَلَهُنَّ مِثْلُ ٱلَّذِى عَلَيْهِنَّ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۚ وَلِلرِّجَالِ عَلَيْهِنَّ دَرَجَةٌۭ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ ﴿٢٢٨﴾
Divorced women remain in waiting for three periods, and it is not lawful for them to conceal what Allah has created in their wombs if they believe in Allah and the Last Day. And their husbands have more right to take them back in this [period] if they want reconciliation. And due to the wives is similar to what is expected of them, according to what is reasonable. But the men have a degree over them [in responsibility and authority]. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.
Husbands have a degree of responsibility and authority.
Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1159
Graded hasan sahih... لو كنت آمرا أحدا أن يسجد لأحد لأمرت المرأة أن تسجد لزوجها ...
"If I were to command anyone to prostrate to another, I would command a wife to prostrate to her husband."
Shows the greatness of the husband's right.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5195
Sahih... لا يحل للمرأة أن تصوم وزوجها شاهد إلا بإذنه ...
"It is not lawful for a woman to fast while her husband is present except with his permission."
Voluntary fasts need the husband's consent.
Sahih al-Bukhari 7257
Sahih... إنما الطاعة في المعروف ...
"Obedience is only in what is right."
No one is obeyed in sin, including a husband.
Where the ruling is recorded
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Bab al-Nafaqah, on the wife leaving the house. When she may go out without permission.
- al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, Kitab al-Talaq, Bab al-Nafaqat. Housework is due from her religiously but she is not compelled by the judge.
- Bada'i al-Sana'i, Kitab al-Nikah, on the rights of the husband. Lists the husband's rights over the wife.
This answer is pending review by the scholars on our team. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.