She is afraid that her husband is neglecting her because he spends most of his time at work

Praise be to Allah.

If your husband is religiously committed and of good character, then praise Allah for the blessing of making this marriage possible, and stop feeling worried and anxious, although we feel that this worry is something to be expected in a woman of your age in your situation. Indeed many people feel a kind of anticlimax after becoming engaged or doing the marriage contract, but one should let one’s optimistic side prevail and think positively, so long as your family knew him before he proposed marriage, or has checked on him and done their utmost to find out about his situation, with regard to his religious commitment, character, trustworthiness and serious approach to life. 

The fact that the husband has work which takes up a lot of his time is not to be regarded as something odd in this day and age, because of the high cost of living and lack of sources of income. The wise husband who is keen to take care of his family will strike a balance between that and fulfilling his family’s rights, so he will give them as much of his love, care and attention as he can when he comes back to them, and he will make the most of his resting times to spread an atmosphere of love and compassion that will make them forget that he is far away from them. This is something which we hope you will find with your husband, if Allah wills, after consummation of the marriage. 

The wife has rights over her husband, as he has rights over her. Her rights include: that he should provide her with sufficient accommodation, food and clothing, he should treat her kindly, he should pay attention to her religious commitment by helping her to worship Allah, and he should keep her away from sin and protect her from her Fire. He has rights over her which are that she should obey him, treat him kindly, and protect him with regard to herself and her honour. 

For more details on these rights, and the evidence for them, please see the answer to question number 10680. 

We would like to draw your attention to the fact that if a woman is sought for marriage by many people, then if she accepts a man as her husband, she must be content with that and be pleased with him, and strive to make him happy, and hope for good in her life with him, and ask Allah to help her to fulfil her duty towards him. Thus she will prepare herself for a happy life with him. 

But the one who looks at her situation, thinks too highly of herself and is deceived by people’s interest in her, she may not be successful with her husband, and may not be content with her situation, so she will lose her happiness and peace of mind. May Allah keep you safe from that. 

To sum up, we are advising you to stop being afraid and worried, and to be optimistic and hopeful, and to ask Allah for guidance and help. 

The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said to ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him): “Say: ‘O Allah, guide me and make me steadfast’.” Narrated by Muslim (2725). 

According to another report: “Say: O Allah, I ask You for guidance and steadfastness.” 

It was narrated that ‘Aishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) entered upon me what I was praying, and he wanted something, but I took too long, so he said: “O ‘Aishah, you should recite general and comprehensive du’as.” When I had finished, I said: O Messenger of Allah, what is general and comprehensive du’a? He said: “Say: O Allah, I ask You for all goodness, now and later on, that which I know and that which I do not know; I seek refuge in You from all evil, now and later on, that which I know and that which I do not know. I ask you for Paradise and the words and deeds that will bring me closer to it, and I seek refuge in You from Hell and from the words and deeds that would bring me closer to it. I ask You for that which Muhammad asked You for, and seek refuge in You from that from which Muhammad sought refuge; whatever You decreed for me, make its consequences good.” Narrated by al-Bukhari in al-Adab al-Mufrad (639) and classed as saheeh by al-Albani. 

Recite this du’a a great deal and maintain a good relationship with Allah, hoping for good from Him. Seek the help of a trustworthy advisor and one who has experience among your family and friends, if you need any help with your problem. 

We ask Allah to set your affairs straight with your husband, and to decree guidance, happiness and well-being for you both. 

And Allah knows best.