What are the rights of husbands and wives?

The questioner : A questioner says: A man complains about his wife to the utmost degree, and about her marital defiance.

The Shaykh : What?

The questioner : He says he complains about his wife to the utmost degree, and about her marital defiance against him. So is there a guiding word for women regarding the rights of husbands and what they have over their wives?

The Shaykh : And I say, to complete this question, a woman complains about her husband regarding his coldness, his harshness, and his lack of religion as well. So the complaints are coming from both sides. But Allah the Exalted made clear to us the ruling on this, saying: But if the woman hates her husband and does not want him, not because of a defect in his character or his nature, nor because of a lack in his religion, but because Allah the Exalted did not decree for her to have love for him in her heart, what does she do? We say: The matter is referred to the judge, and the judge presents to her the option of khul' (divorce at the wife's request for compensation). Do you know what khul' is? Khul' is that she returns to him his money, that is, his mahr (bridal gift), and then the contract is annulled. The evidence for this is that the wife of Thabit ibn Qays (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and said to him: meaning she wanted to separate from him. He said to her: meaning the mahr that he had given her .