A man advised his wife to be consistent in prayer, but she did not comply. Should he keep her or divorce her?
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The questioner : A man advised his wife to be consistent in prayer, but she did not comply. Should he keep her or divorce her?
The Shaykh : It is well known that men are protectors and maintainers of women, as Allah Mighty and Majestic said:[An-Nisa 4:34] It is also well known that a man is a shepherd over his household and is accountable for his flock. It is obligatory for him to compel her to pray and to discipline her for leaving it. If she rectifies her conduct, that is what is desired. If she does not rectify and she never prays, then she is a disbeliever, may Allah protect us from that, and she is not lawful for him, because a disbeliever is not lawful for a Muslim, whether male or female. This means that a disbelieving woman is not lawful for a Muslim, and a Muslim woman is not lawful for a disbeliever, based on the saying of Allah Blessed and Exalted is He: [Al-Mumtahanah 60:10] In that case, it is obligatory for him to separate from her if he is unable to compel her to pray. However, I say that if this matter is truly a reality, I direct advice to this wife and say to her: Fear Allah regarding yourself, your husband, and your children, if you have children from him. Fear Allah Mighty and Majestic, and return to guidance and rightness. Establish prayer and give charity, as Allah the Exalted commanded the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to do. We ask Allah for guidance and success for everyone.
The questioner : O Allah, amen.
The Shaykh : It is well known that men are protectors and maintainers of women, as Allah Mighty and Majestic said:
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.
الرِّجَالُ قَوَّامُونَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ اللَّهُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ وَبِمَا أَنفَقُوا مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْAnd if you know them to be believers, then do not return them to the disbelievers; they are not lawful [wives] for them, nor are they lawful [husbands] for them
فَإِنْ عَلِمْتُمُوهُنَّ مُؤْمِنَاتٍ فَلَا تَرْجِعُوهُنَّ إِلَى الْكُفَّارِ لَا هُنَّ حِلٌّ لَهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحِلُّونَ لَهُنَّThe questioner : O Allah, amen.