Search In Fatwa

Her husband spits on her face

Question

I would like to know if my husband spit in my face to punish me (even though its nothing bad that I do) is it aloud in the Islam to do that, and if not aloud will he be punished. I always tell him its not right for him to do that but he never listens, please answer my question before it gets out of hand.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

Islam urged the husband to be kind to his wife and live with her honourably, as Allaah Says (which means): {And live with them in kindness.}[Quran 4:19]. The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: "The best amongst yourselves, are the best to their wives." [At-Tirmithi] So, if a husband treats his wife with content and despises her, especially if he did so by spitting on her face as mentioned in the question, then he was indeed wrong and sinful. It is confirmed that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: "Do not hit the face and do not rebuke (or bad mouth) her (i.e. the wife)." [Abu Daawood] The scholars may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  them stated that the above narration is evidence that it is forbidden to hit the face when disciplining the wife. There is no doubt that your husband will be held accountable for his act if he does not seek your forgiveness.

Therefore, you should endeavour to advise your husband and remind him of Allaah, and there is no harm if you seek the help of righteous and pious people to admonish him; it might be that he will take heed and stop behaving in such a manner. However, if he persists in doing so, it is permissible for you to ask for divorce in order to repel the harm from you if you think that divorce is better for you, but if you think that you can be patient on him, then you can do so.

Allaah Knows best.

Related Fatwa