𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (301)

Is it permissible for a wife to shun her husband as a disciplinary measure? If she believes that it will effectively deter him from mistreating her and she is confident that it will not lead to greater harms or further discord, then it is permissible for her to shun him. Sheikh Ibn ’Uthaymin (may Allāh have mercy on him) commented in his explanation of Riyad As-Salihin (5/164): "If he neglects his duties and does not fulfill his rights, the wife has the right to retaliate and not give him his full rights, as Allāh says: 'So if anyone transgresses against you, transgress against him in like manner as he has transgressed against you' [Al-Baqarah 2:194], and Allāh also says: 'But if you punish, then punish with the like of that with which you were harmed' [An-Nahl 16:126]...If he is not fulfilling his rights, the wife is entitled to retaliate and withhold her rights from him in the same manner he has withheld his rights from her." NOTE: The wife is usually in a position of weakness with her husband, and her shunning may not have the desired effect of deterring him. Instead, it may lead to the violation of his rights, disobedience in areas where obedience is required, and could result in further discord and worsening of their problems.