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Fatwa #4630511 March 2022India

Tension between my wife and family - What do i do?

Question

Assalamu alaikum.

The marriage was arranged by my parents. I prayed Isthikharah, went to her home with my family and saw her before marrying and then wholeheartedly I accepted her.

My grandfather (mother's father) has 3 daughters.

The eldest of them is my mother. The youngest daughter lives separately. Except them, me, my wife, my parents, my grandparents, and my mother's first sister's family all live together in a same compound.

The culture, behaviour and traditions of my wife's family is slightly different from ours.

With this, I'll share 3 problems I have faced till now, to give you an idea of the mentality of our families.

The first issue:

This issue started within few days after our marriage.

It was for the first time that me and my wife were about to travel to my wife's native place, from my house. When we were about to leave, my wife was upset with something and she did not tell salaam to anyone in my family before leaving. And I did not notice that.

After we came to our wife's home, I called my mom casually. She spoke nicely to me. And my wife wanted to talk to her and asked my phone, so I gave it and my mother yelled at her for not saying anything to anyone before leaving. My wife said this to me and kept crying that day.

Then after few days we went back to my home. It was mid noon and my wife went to take a nap. My mother and her sisters called me and started complaining and crying that she wasn't good in behaviour. They said she wasn't the girl what they expected.

The second issue:

Before seeing this girl, my family had seen several others for my marriage. This is regarding that.

Our women use to read Ta'leem every night. My wife attends it. One night after reading Ta'leem they were talking and my grandmother said, "It would've been nice if we have married Sajid to that another girl". My wife came to our room and without uttering a word she kept weeping that night. And upon my compulsion she said these to me.

The third issue:

My wife is studying her Master's degree in a nearby college. She still has one more year to complete. Before marriage, my family has not strongly discussed whether or not she could go to college after marriage. I didn't know that. I assumed that no one's going to say anything for her to continue her studies after marriage. But now my family doesn't want her to study anymore.

Besides, my mother has called my mother in law and said the below things:

"Your daughter is not doing her responsibilities properly at home. We will not let her go to college. She washes clothes only once a week.She is showing symptoms of pregnancy. It is your responsibility to take care of her until the delivery of the baby. I accepted to marry my son to your daughter, only because my father wished."

My mother-in-law has said:

"My daughter has never said anything bad about you. She says that you even cook food for her at times."

For that my mother has replied:

"I have to cook for my son. How can I not provide for your daughter, when I'm giving for my son?"

And my grandfather warns me like this:

"My friend's son has divorced his wife because she is not obeying his parents. They both live separately for 7 years till now. You are buying Cadbury chocolates to her. Stop doing that. Before marriage she was fond of drinking pomegranate juice at home. We can not provide the same here. What is the need for drinking juice daily? Is she sick? Just because she was following a habit at her home, it doesn't mean she should follow it here also. She must get accustomed to our situations."

We bought an air conditioner one day and my grandfather asked me how it was. I said, "Yes it is good. I just ran it for 10 minutes and my wife felt really cold within that 10 minutes. It is that good". He replied with a grin, "Ask her to go sleep on a stove then".

All these have hurted me and my wife a lot.

I have never thought that my family would behave in such a way.

My wife asks me,"If I were more good looking and brought a lot of jewels, your family would have treated me better right?".

I'm out of words to console her.

While writing this, I'm currently in my wife's home. And I have just apologized to my father-in-law for my family's behaviour. His response was like,"It's all common in families. You don't have to question your mother for all this. Be patient".

I prayed Isthikharah seeking whether we both should start living seperately.

Please suggest me some actions to easen the situation. Also some duas.

Include me in your duas.

Jazaakallah khair.

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh

Respected brother.

We understand your situation and we make Dua that Allah makes it easy for you. 

Marriage is a union of love and unity. Allah has chosen your wife for you. Your Istikharah was positive and you wholeheartedly accepted your wife as your lifelong companion. She is the best spouse for you because Allah only chooses what is best for us. Allah who is Al-Hakeem (The All-Wise) has created this union with complete wisdom, which cannot be comprehended by our limited minds. 

Marriage is often most challenging at its beginning stages, as it requires adjustment to a new person and a new life. We advise you to be a means of emotional and physical support to your wife. If there are any mistakes on her path, kindly forgive her and lovingly advise her on how you would prefer things to be done. Remember, nobody is perfect. We should respect each other’s differences.

In every marriage it is common to have ups and downs, disagreements and arguments.

The two of you are from different homes. Your wife cannot be expected to immediately adapt to the family lifestyle or culture of her in-laws.

Shaytan’s goal is to break homes. Quarrels between in-laws are common and should not be a means of a marriage breaking. There is no major issue in your marriage. The thought of separating from one’s spouse should not be entertained.

With regards to your parents and family, do not disobey them and turn away from them as respect to elders is of paramount importance. Forgive their shortcomings and ignore their harsh words concerning your wife. Perhaps, this unpleasant reaction of theirs is on account of their love for you and their desire to see you in the best possible condition. 

If your wife’s studies are disrupting the harmony in your home and she is unable to fulfill her duties as a wife, then you may kindly advise her to discontinue her studies. 

In Shariah, a woman has the right to be provided with shelter. It is common to have problems when everyone is living together. We suggest that you move into a home of your own, even if it is in the same yard as your parents.

If you are unable to afford a home, exhaust your energies and save up to do so. In sha Allah, by doing so, you will have peace of mind and there will be less tension between your family members.

Recite Ya Wadudu frequently. In sha Allah, it will be a means of love and unity in your home.

May Allah make it easy for you and your family. Aameen.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mohamed Ebrahim bin Ismail Abdullah

Student - Darul Iftaa

Pietermaritzburg, KZN, South Africa 

Checked and Approved by,

Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

(03-04-1442|19-11-2020)

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