Chapter on Marital Rebellion (Nushuz)

Disobedience (nushuz) can occur from both the man and the woman. As for the man's disobedience, it is as Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Mighty and Majestic, says in His Book: "And if a woman fears ill-treatment or aversion from her husband, there is no blame upon them if they reconcile between themselves, and reconciliation is better" (Surah An-Nisa 4:128) This refers to a situation where a woman is with her husband, but he is displeased with her and intends to divorce her. She then says to him, "Keep me and do not divorce me, and I will relinquish what is due to me and allow you my day and night." This arrangement becomes acceptable to him. This was narrated by Al-Mufaddal ibn Salih from Zayd Al-Shahham from Abu Abdullah عليه السلام. When a woman becomes disobedient (nashiz) like a man's disobedience, it leads to khulʿ (a form of divorce initiated by the wife). A woman's disobedience is when she does not obey her husband in matters of intimacy. This is as Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Mighty and Majestic, says: "And those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance [disobedience]-advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them. But if they obey you, seek no means against them. Indeed, Allah سبحانه وتعالى is Most High, Most Great" (Surah An-Nisa 4:34) Forsaking them in bed means turning his back to her, and striking refers to gently striking with a miswak (tooth-stick) or something similar, in a kind manner. If they obey you, then do not seek a way against them, for Allah سبحانه وتعالى is Most High and Most Great.