What are the limits of the rights and duties of spouses, especially regarding the wife's service to her husband and the husband's financial support for her, and the regulations for good treatment? What is the decisive factor when their viewpoints differ on these matters? Is it considered an injustice to marry a woman while seeing a flaw in her that the man dislikes, or to prevent her from visiting her family because he dislikes them? What should a wife do if her husband hates her and her family, beats her, and threatens her when she requests a divorce?

The marital relationship is based on affection and mercy. Jurists differ on the obligation of a wife to serve her husband, but the prevalent opinion (mufta bihi) is that it is obligatory according to what is customary and the prevailing circumstances. Both spouses must interact with kindness (ma'ruf). A wife must obey her husband in what is good (ma'ruf), and the husband must treat her with kindness in word and deed. There is no blame on a wife if she utters something that offends her husband while she is in the right, and there is no blame on one who does what they are capable of. Both must strive for excellence in their conduct. If a man dislikes something in his wife but she is better than others, there is no blame on him, and he is not permitted to oppress her or treat her poorly. He must be patient and overlook her shortcomings, balancing her different aspects, bearing in mind the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "A believing man should not hate a believing woman; if he dislikes one of her characteristics, he will be pleased with another." The most sound opinion is that the husband should permit his wife to visit her family unless he fears they will corrupt her. Preventing her simply because he dislikes them is oppression. If the husband neglects his duties or harms his wife, she has the right to refer the matter to a judge to compel him or grant her a divorce. If the harm is not proven but she dislikes him, she has the right to seek a khul' (divorce initiated by the wife).