Marital Discord (Al-Nushooz)

Certainly, security and happiness, regardless of whether talking about the family or the society, will not come about simply through force and coercion. They will not be present through the power of iron or fire. In fact, they can only come about through the rectifying of the souls, purifying of the characters, proper perceptions and sticking to the laws of Islam and acting in accord with them in all aspects of life. If that is present, then the causes for security in society are present and for the family there will be the pillars for continuance and performance. If Muslims would return to the principles of Islam and its law, they would find that it has laid down practical and realistic means for solving such disputes. In bringing about a good and proper family and marital life, the Noble Quran has laid down a path that solves every problem that could exist between the spouses and has laid down for them the ways of wisdom and stages of behaviour that will lead to goodness. There is nothing amazing in this, since it is the law of a Lord who is Knowledgeable, Aware, who created mankind and knows its hidden aspects and places of weakness. What then are the laws that bring about this great good of security and tranquillity? It is what is known in fiqh as the laws of nushooz, its cases, its causes, how to be protected from it, and the means to cure the problem.