THE RIGHTS OF HUSBAND AND WIFE

6. The Rights of Husband and Wife ~ 129 ~ responsibility, that of a man being the upkeep of his wife. In the home, man is the protector (the head). This is because man is by birth the stronger sex in the physical sense. This in no way means that he is superior to woman in the absolute sense. Whatever superiority he has relates only to those traits which make a man deserving of the office of maintainer. The wording of the above mentioned verse (4:34) means that everyone is superior to others in some particular respect. The distinguishing features required for becoming a maintainer (qawwam) are more numerous in men than in women, that is why he has been selected as the qawwam of the house. Conversely, the distinguishing features required for maintaining the home, for the bringing up and training of new generations are more numerous in women than in men. It is due to this kind of superiority in women that they have been entrusted with the internal affairs of the home. A woman has a legal right to maintenance, which devolves upon her husband. If he fails in this regard, the woman can receive it through the court.