Friday 21 Jumada al-ula 1446 - 22 November 2024
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Her husband wants her to sit in front of the TV with him

Question

My husband gets annoyed at my reading Quran a lot, as he says, because I am leaving him alone. Will I be sinning if I stop reading Quran for him because he wants me to watch TV with him? If I do not read Quran and I sit with him, will I be sinning whether that is during the day or at night in Ramadan? Please note that I try to read Quran when he is sleeping or doing something that keeps him busy, and I do not read much, but I am learning tajweed [correct recitation].

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

There is no blame on you if you read Quran and do a lot of acts of worship, so long as that does not impinge upon your husband’s rights, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “It is not permissible for a woman to fast when her husband is present, except with his permission.” Narrated by al-Bukhari, 5195; Muslim, 1026. 

That is because the husband’s right to physical intimacy is obligatory, so it is not permissible to impinge on that by doing something that is nafil (supererogatory). 

The righteous wife should be happy that her husband is interested in her and wants her to sit with him. She should realize that by pleasing him and making him happy she will earn a great reward. So do your best and try to create a balance, and choose times for your worship when your husband is busy or is outside. 

With regard to watching TV, it is evil and should be avoided, because it provokes desires and stirs up doubts, and propagates many evils, such as mixing of men and women, uncovering ‘awrahs, and using music and musical instruments. What good there may be in it is outweighed by these great evils. Many of those who tried it and have it in their homes will tell you that it is difficult to control it and keep away from its evils. Because even the religious programs – which are the best of what is available – are not free from the sound of musical instruments, or else they are presented by women who are clothed yet naked, astray themselves and leading others astray, so how about other programs? And Allah is the One Whose help we seek. 

What your husband has to do is to fear Allah and make sure his wife and children avoid seeing and hearing these evil things, for he is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah, but do that which they are commanded”

[al-Tahreem 66:6] 

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock. The ruler is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. A man is the shepherd of his family and is responsible for his flock. A woman is the shepherd of her husband’s household and is responsible for her flock…” Narrated by al-Bukhari, 893; Muslim, 1829. 

If he calls you to watch or listen to any of the haram things that we have mentioned, it is not permissible for you to obey him, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There is no obedience in disobedience to Allah; obedience is only with regard to that which is good and proper.” Narrated by al-Bukhari, 7257; Muslim, 1840. Be kind and gentle when you advise him, and ask Allah to set his heart straight and make him come to his senses. 

And Allah knows best.

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Source: Islam Q&A