Does the Law of the Land Override Obedience to the Husband?

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

Must a wife obey her husband in matters which go against the law of the land, but do not violate the Shariah? 

During the lockdown period, if the husband and wife are living in separate houses and the husband wants to visit her in her house but the law states people are not allowed to visit other’s houses, albeit family. Does the law of the land override obedience to the husband?

Answer

Thank you for your question. 

I believe that there is more to this story than following the law of the land. Why are you both living in separate homes? How do you fulfill each other’s rights? When did you last see one another? 

Although I don’t know the rules during the lockdown in your area, it seems to be very extreme to disallow your husband to visit you. It is obligatory in the shari`ah to let your husband see you. I would suggest that you allow him to come over and stay with you for good, so you don’t risk getting in trouble with the authorities. 

It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, what type of wife is best? He said, ‘The one who makes (her husband) happy when he looks at her, and she obeys him if he instructs her to do something, and she does not do anything with regard to herself or his wealth in a manner of which he does not approve.‘“ [Ahmad]

[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad 
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied Aqidah, Fiqh, Tajweed, Tafseer, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied Fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She recently moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.