Nikaah & Marriage Issues

In laws not allowing daughter in law to leave the house

Q: I wanted to share something about my parents and wife. My parents are not treating my wife well, we all stay under one roof. They say that you both (me and my wife) are equal to them, but when it comes to something they always consider me alone and not my wife. I always raise my voice against this but this leads to a disturbance at my home.

During Covid, I’ve been working at home since then and sometimes I wanted to take my wife out once in a month and that too creates issue. My parents say only you can go and not your wife.

She always wakes early and completes all her work of home but my parents don't even let her go to her own home. This is cruelty and I don't think Islam taught us this way.

Husband making his wife work and pay for the house expenses

Q: I have a question around financial obligation of a husband.

I have a property which I pay for in terms of mortgage. I also have two children whom I provide for as their father refuses to. I work full time and have a part-time income to make ends meet. Prior to marriage, I used to get tax credits that allowed me to pay my bills.

I have re-married. My husband initially paid me 1/4 of the household expenses which I thought was unfair. After numerous arguments he has increased it to 1/2 the sum. My husband earns 4 times what I earn. He is always out with his work colleagues under the pretext of a working dinner. He eats out at least twice a week. He is aware that I cannot afford the luxuries of going out with my friends as I have a low income. 

He lives in my house which I'm happy to share with him, however, when I ask him to share his money, he refuses. His argument is that he is providing for me.

Even down to the car I drive, is on its last leg... I've asked if I could share his car if I needed a more reliable car when he's not using it at which he's refused.

I'm expected to run the house as well as maintain a full time job as well as a part time job.

My situation has not improved after marriage. I'm made to feel like his maid. He pays his share towards the house, but there is no understanding or consideration towards me.

Can you please provide some guidance on this.

Abortion

Q: I have 4 kids ages 21, 20, 16 and 7. I'm 43 and my husband is 51.

We found out that we are pregnant again and very scared because of health issues as well. What is the Islamic stand on abortion?

Man's "authority" over his wife

Q: When speaking of the qiwamah of a man over his wife (i.e. his “authority” over her), we need to realize that this is a burden and a responsibility, not an honour and favour. The man’s responsibility is not restricted to maintaining his wife financially, housing, feeding, etc. He is also responsible for looking after her emotional, spiritual and physical needs. Allah’s command is to treat wives kindly and on a footing of equity and what is acceptable. وعاشروهن. Al-qiwamah is in no way meant to turn the husband into some sort of dictator who thinks he is a master who orders and forbids and should be obeyed unrestrictedly. There are so many nuances to look at when we look at these issues. One such nuance is that Allah did not say that males are qawwam over women; rather, He said “men” are qawwam. This is something we need need to think about and ponder; for how many males are not really “men”.

Is this above writing correct? If I feel like for my husband's thinking attitude is harming my imaan, I often think bad of Islam that it favors men over women should I leave him?

Wishing for one's non-Muslim girlfriend to accept Islam

Q: There is a Hindu girl that I like and I wish to marry her in the future (we both are 16 years old) as I don't want to have any haraam relationship with her. Is there anything I can do to inspire her to embrace Islam with her heart, mind and soul so I can marry her?

I genuinely care for her and I don't want her to go to hell because she is a very good, generous and honest girl. Please guide me in this matter. I can take things slow and cautiously with her if I can inspire her to embrace Islam.