Quran Verses about Family and married life

14 ayahs · from 8 surahs

Allah made spouses a source of tranquillity for one another with love and mercy, each a garment for the other. A wife has rights matching her duties, and husbands are commanded to live with their wives in kindness and are named the protectors of their wives because of what Allah has given them and what they spend, with guidance for times of nushuz or dispute, including sending arbiters and making peace. The believers are commanded to protect themselves and their families from the Fire and to bid their families to pray, and are reminded that some spouses and children may distract them from obedience.

Tranquillity, love and completing one another

  1. أُحِلَّ لَكُمۡ لَيۡلَةَ ٱلصِّيَامِ ٱلرَّفَثُ إِلَىٰ نِسَآئِكُمۡۚ هُنَّ لِبَاسٞ لَّكُمۡ وَأَنتُمۡ لِبَاسٞ لَّهُنَّۗ عَلِمَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّكُمۡ كُنتُمۡ تَخۡتَانُونَ أَنفُسَكُمۡ فَتَابَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَعَفَا عَنكُمۡۖ فَٱلۡـَٰٔنَ بَٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَٱبۡتَغُواْ مَا كَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡۚ وَكُلُواْ وَٱشۡرَبُواْ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡخَيۡطُ ٱلۡأَبۡيَضُ مِنَ ٱلۡخَيۡطِ ٱلۡأَسۡوَدِ مِنَ ٱلۡفَجۡرِۖ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّواْ ٱلصِّيَامَ إِلَى ٱلَّيۡلِۚ وَلَا تُبَٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمۡ عَٰكِفُونَ فِي ٱلۡمَسَٰجِدِۗ تِلۡكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ فَلَا تَقۡرَبُوهَاۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَّقُونَ ١٨٧

    Uḥilla lakum laylataṣ-ṣiyāmir-rafathu ilā nisāʾikum, hunna libāsul lakum wa antum libāsul lahunn, ʿalimallāhu annakum kuntum takhtānūna anfusakum fatāba ʿalaykum wa ʿafā ʿankum, fal-āna bāshirūhunna wabtaghū mā kataballāhu lakum, wa kulū washrabū ḥattā yatabayyana lakumul-khayṭul-abyaḍu minal-khayṭil-aswadi minal-fajr, thumma atimmuṣ-ṣiyāma ilal-layl, wa lā tubāshirūhunna wa antum ʿākifūna fil-masājid, tilka ḥudūdullāhi falā taqrabūhā, kadhālika yubayyinullāhu āyātihī lin-nāsi laʿallahum yattaqūn.

    It has been made permissible for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives [for sexual relations]. They are a clothing for you and you are a clothing1 for them. Allāh knows that you used to deceive yourselves,2 so He accepted your repentance and forgave you. So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allāh has decreed for you [i.e., offspring]. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until the night [i.e., sunset]. And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques. These are the limits [set by] Allāh, so do not approach them. Thus does Allāh make clear His verses [i.e., ordinances] to the people that they may become righteous.

    Footnotes (2)
    1. Also a source of tranquility and rest.
    2. Prior to this revelation, marital relations were unlawful during nights preceding fasting. Some were unable to refrain and secretly disobeyed, but they did not deceive Allāh.
  1. وَمِنۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓ أَنۡ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنۡ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَزۡوَٰجٗا لِّتَسۡكُنُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيۡنَكُم مَّوَدَّةٗ وَرَحۡمَةًۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ٢١

    Wa min āyātihī an khalaqa lakum min anfusikum azwājal litaskunū ilayhā wa jaʿala baynakum mawaddataw wa raḥmah, inna fī dhālika laʾāyātil liqawmiy yatafakkarūn.

    And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.

Intimacy between husband and wife

  1. وَيَسۡـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡمَحِيضِۖ قُلۡ هُوَ أَذٗى فَٱعۡتَزِلُواْ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فِي ٱلۡمَحِيضِ وَلَا تَقۡرَبُوهُنَّ حَتَّىٰ يَطۡهُرۡنَۖ فَإِذَا تَطَهَّرۡنَ فَأۡتُوهُنَّ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ أَمَرَكُمُ ٱللَّهُۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّٰبِينَ وَيُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَطَهِّرِينَ ٢٢٢

    Wa yasʾalūnaka ʿanil-maḥīḍ, qul huwa adhan faʿtazilun-nisāʾa fil-maḥīḍi wa lā taqrabūhunna ḥattā yaṭhurn, fa idhā taṭahharna faʾtūhunna min ḥaythu amarakumullāh, innallāha yuḥibbut-tawwābīna wa yuḥibbul-mutaṭahhirīn.

    And they ask you about menstruation. Say, "It is harm, so keep away from wives1 during menstruation. And do not approach them until they are pure. And when they have purified themselves,2 then come to them from where Allāh has ordained for you. Indeed, Allāh loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves."

    Footnotes (2)
    1. i.e., refrain from sexual intercourse.
    2. By taking a complete bath (ghusl) .
  2. نِسَآؤُكُمۡ حَرۡثٞ لَّكُمۡ فَأۡتُواْ حَرۡثَكُمۡ أَنَّىٰ شِئۡتُمۡۖ وَقَدِّمُواْ لِأَنفُسِكُمۡۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّكُم مُّلَٰقُوهُۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ ٢٢٣

    Nisāʾukum ḥarthul lakum faʾtū ḥarthakum annā shiʾtum, wa qaddimū liʾanfusikum, wattaqullāha waʿlamū annakum mulāqūh, wa bashshiril-muʾminīn.

    Your wives are a place of cultivation [i.e., sowing of seed] for you, so come to your place of cultivation however you wish and put forth [righteousness] for yourselves. And fear Allāh and know that you will meet Him. And give good tidings to the believers.

The wife's rights and living together in kindness

  1. وَٱلۡمُطَلَّقَٰتُ يَتَرَبَّصۡنَ بِأَنفُسِهِنَّ ثَلَٰثَةَ قُرُوٓءٖۚ وَلَا يَحِلُّ لَهُنَّ أَن يَكۡتُمۡنَ مَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ فِيٓ أَرۡحَامِهِنَّ إِن كُنَّ يُؤۡمِنَّ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِۚ وَبُعُولَتُهُنَّ أَحَقُّ بِرَدِّهِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ إِنۡ أَرَادُوٓاْ إِصۡلَٰحٗاۚ وَلَهُنَّ مِثۡلُ ٱلَّذِي عَلَيۡهِنَّ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِۚ وَلِلرِّجَالِ عَلَيۡهِنَّ دَرَجَةٞۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ ٢٢٨

    Wal-muṭallaqātu yatarabbaṣna biʾanfusihinna thalāthata qurūʾ, wa lā yaḥillu lahunna ay yaktumna mā khalaqallāhu fī arḥāmihinna in kunna yuʾminna billāhi wal-yawmil-ākhir, wa buʿūlatuhunna aḥaqqu biraddihinna fī dhālika in arādū iṣlāḥā, wa lahunna mithlul-ladhī ʿalayhinna bil-maʿrūf, walir-rijāli ʿalayhinna darajah, wallāhu ʿazīzun ḥakīm.

    Divorced women remain in waiting [i.e., do not remarry] for three periods,1 and it is not lawful for them to conceal what Allāh has created in their wombs if they believe in Allāh and the Last Day. And their husbands have more right to take them back in this [period] if they want reconciliation.2 And due to them [i.e., the wives] is similar to what is expected of them, according to what is reasonable.3 But the men [i.e., husbands] have a degree over them [in responsibility and authority]. And Allāh is Exalted in Might and Wise.

    Footnotes (3)
    1. Either menstrual periods or periods of purity between menstruation. See also 65:1-7.
    2. The husband may return her to himself during the ʿiddah period of a first and second divorce without a new marriage contract.
    3. The wife has specific rights upon her husband, just as the husband has rights upon her.
  1. يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا يَحِلُّ لَكُمۡ أَن تَرِثُواْ ٱلنِّسَآءَ كَرۡهٗاۖ وَلَا تَعۡضُلُوهُنَّ لِتَذۡهَبُواْ بِبَعۡضِ مَآ ءَاتَيۡتُمُوهُنَّ إِلَّآ أَن يَأۡتِينَ بِفَٰحِشَةٖ مُّبَيِّنَةٖۚ وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِۚ فَإِن كَرِهۡتُمُوهُنَّ فَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكۡرَهُواْ شَيۡـٔٗا وَيَجۡعَلَ ٱللَّهُ فِيهِ خَيۡرٗا كَثِيرٗا ١٩

    Yāʾayyuhal-ladhīna āmanū lā yaḥillu lakum an tarithun-nisāʾa karhā, wa lā taʿḍulūhunna litadhhabū bibaʿḍi mā ātaytumūhunna illā ay yaʾtīna bifāḥishatim mubayyinah, wa ʿāshirūhunna bil-maʿrūf, fa in karihtumūhunna faʿasā an takrahū shayʾaw wa yajʿalallāhu fīhi khayran kathīrā.

    O you who have believed, it is not lawful for you to inherit women by compulsion.1 And do not make difficulties for them in order to take [back] part of what you gave them2 unless they commit a clear immorality [i.e., adultery]. And live with them in kindness. For if you dislike them - perhaps you dislike a thing and Allāh makes therein much good.

    Footnotes (2)
    1. The deceased man's heirs have no rights of marriage or otherwise over his widow.
    2. At the time of marriage as mahr.

The husband as leader and provider, nushuz, and reconciliation

  1. ٱلرِّجَالُ قَوَّٰمُونَ عَلَى ٱلنِّسَآءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ بَعۡضَهُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٖ وَبِمَآ أَنفَقُواْ مِنۡ أَمۡوَٰلِهِمۡۚ فَٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتُ قَٰنِتَٰتٌ حَٰفِظَٰتٞ لِّلۡغَيۡبِ بِمَا حَفِظَ ٱللَّهُۚ وَٱلَّٰتِي تَخَافُونَ نُشُوزَهُنَّ فَعِظُوهُنَّ وَٱهۡجُرُوهُنَّ فِي ٱلۡمَضَاجِعِ وَٱضۡرِبُوهُنَّۖ فَإِنۡ أَطَعۡنَكُمۡ فَلَا تَبۡغُواْ عَلَيۡهِنَّ سَبِيلًاۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيّٗا كَبِيرٗا ٣٤

    Ar-rijālu qawwāmūna ʿalan-nisāʾi bimā faḍḍalallāhu baʿḍahum ʿalā baʿḍiw wabimā anfaqū min amwālihim, faṣ-ṣāliḥātu qānitātun ḥāfiẓātul lil-ghaybi bimā ḥafiẓallāh, wal-lātī takhāfūna nushūzahunna faʿiẓūhunna wahjurūhunna fil-maḍājiʿi waḍribūhunn, fa in aṭaʿnakum falā tabghū ʿalayhinna sabīlā, innallāha kāna ʿaliyyan kabīrā.

    Men are in charge of women1 by [right of] what Allāh has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband's] absence what Allāh would have them guard.2 But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance3 - [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them [lightly].4 But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them. Indeed, Allāh is ever Exalted and Grand.

    Footnotes (4)
    1. This applies primarily to the husband-wife relationship.
    2. i.e., their husbands' property and their own chastity.
    3. i.e., major rebellion or refusal of basic religious obligations.
    4. This final disciplinary measure is more psychological than physical. It may be resorted to only after failure of the first two measures and when it is expected to amend the situation and prevent family breakup; otherwise, it is not acceptable. The Prophet ﷺ (who never struck a woman or a servant) additionally stipulated that it must not be severe or damaging and that the face be avoided.
  2. وَإِنۡ خِفۡتُمۡ شِقَاقَ بَيۡنِهِمَا فَٱبۡعَثُواْ حَكَمٗا مِّنۡ أَهۡلِهِۦ وَحَكَمٗا مِّنۡ أَهۡلِهَآ إِن يُرِيدَآ إِصۡلَٰحٗا يُوَفِّقِ ٱللَّهُ بَيۡنَهُمَآۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا خَبِيرٗا ٣٥

    Wa in khiftum shiqāqa baynihimā fabʿathū ḥakamam min ahlihī wa ḥakamam min ahlihā iy yurīdā iṣlāḥay yuwaffiqillāhu baynahumā, innallāha kāna ʿalīman khabīrā.

    And if you fear dissension between the two, send an arbitrator from his people and an arbitrator from her people. If they both desire reconciliation, Allāh will cause it between them. Indeed, Allāh is ever Knowing and Aware.

  1. وَإِنِ ٱمۡرَأَةٌ خَافَتۡ مِنۢ بَعۡلِهَا نُشُوزًا أَوۡ إِعۡرَاضٗا فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيۡهِمَآ أَن يُصۡلِحَا بَيۡنَهُمَا صُلۡحٗاۚ وَٱلصُّلۡحُ خَيۡرٞۗ وَأُحۡضِرَتِ ٱلۡأَنفُسُ ٱلشُّحَّۚ وَإِن تُحۡسِنُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرٗا ١٢٨

    Wa inimraʾatun khāfat mim baʿlihā nushūzan aw iʿrāḍan falā junāḥa ʿalayhimā ay yuṣliḥā baynahumā ṣulḥā, waṣ-ṣulḥu khayr, wa uḥḍiratil-anfusush-shuḥḥ, wa in tuḥsinū watattaqū fa innallāha kāna bimā taʿmalūna khabīrā.

    And if a woman fears from her husband contempt or evasion, there is no sin upon them if they make terms of settlement between them - and settlement is best. And present in [human] souls is stinginess.1 But if you do good and fear Allāh - then indeed Allāh is ever, of what you do, Aware.

    Footnotes (1)
    1. i.e., holding on to self-interests.

Protecting and guiding the family

  1. وَكَانَ يَأۡمُرُ أَهۡلَهُۥ بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّكَوٰةِ وَكَانَ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦ مَرۡضِيّٗا ٥٥

    Wa kāna yaʾmuru ahlahū biṣ-ṣalāti waz-zakāti wa kāna ʿinda rabbihī marḍiyyā.

    And he used to enjoin on his people prayer and zakāh and was to his Lord pleasing [i.e., accepted by Him].

  1. وَأۡمُرۡ أَهۡلَكَ بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱصۡطَبِرۡ عَلَيۡهَاۖ لَا نَسۡـَٔلُكَ رِزۡقٗاۖ نَّحۡنُ نَرۡزُقُكَۗ وَٱلۡعَٰقِبَةُ لِلتَّقۡوَىٰ ١٣٢

    Waʾmur ahlaka biṣ-ṣalāti waṣṭabir ʿalayhā, lā nasʾaluka rizqā, naḥnu narzuquk, wal-ʿāqibatu lit-taqwā.

    And enjoin prayer upon your family [and people] and be steadfast therein. We ask you not for provision; We provide for you, and the [best] outcome is for [those of] righteousness.

  1. يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ قُوٓاْ أَنفُسَكُمۡ وَأَهۡلِيكُمۡ نَارٗا وَقُودُهَا ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱلۡحِجَارَةُ عَلَيۡهَا مَلَٰٓئِكَةٌ غِلَاظٞ شِدَادٞ لَّا يَعۡصُونَ ٱللَّهَ مَآ أَمَرَهُمۡ وَيَفۡعَلُونَ مَا يُؤۡمَرُونَ ٦

    Yāʾayyuhal-ladhīna āmanū qū anfusakum wa ahlīkum nāraw waqūduhan-nāsu wal-ḥijāratu ʿalayhā malāʾikatun ghilāẓun shidādul lā yaʿṣūnallāha mā amarahum wa yafʿalūna mā yuʾmarūn.

    O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allāh in what He commands them but do what they are commanded.

Prayer and trials in the family

  1. وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبۡ لَنَا مِنۡ أَزۡوَٰجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعۡيُنٖ وَٱجۡعَلۡنَا لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا ٧٤

    Wal-ladhīna yaqūlūna rabbanā hab lanā min azwājinā wa dhurriyyātinā qurrata aʿyuniw wajʿalnā lil-muttaqīna imāmā.

    And those who say, "Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes1 and make us a leader [i.e., example] for the righteous."

    Footnotes (1)
    1. i.e., a source of happiness due to their righteousness.
  1. يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِنَّ مِنۡ أَزۡوَٰجِكُمۡ وَأَوۡلَٰدِكُمۡ عَدُوّٗا لَّكُمۡ فَٱحۡذَرُوهُمۡۚ وَإِن تَعۡفُواْ وَتَصۡفَحُواْ وَتَغۡفِرُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٌ ١٤

    Yāʾayyuhal-ladhīna āmanū inna min azwājikum wa awlādikum ʿaduwwal lakum faḥdharūhum, wa in taʿfū wa taṣfaḥū wa taghfirū fa innallāha ghafūrur raḥīm.

    O you who have believed, indeed, among your spouses and your children are enemies to you, so beware of them. But if you pardon and overlook and forgive - then indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.