He mistreats and ignores his wife’s mother

 

Is it permissible for a man to cut off ties with his mother-in-law, or to raise his voice to her or insult her? Please explain with quotations of verses from the Qur’aan or ahaadeeth of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), as this matter is of great concern to me. Please note that my sister is married and her husband causes a lot of problems for us as he always argues with my mother, his wife’s mother.

Praise be to Allaah.

The husband should treat his wife’s relatives well,
especially her mother, because that will lead to love and harmony, and a
stable married life. If the husband honours his mother-in-law he is in fact
honouring his wife and honouring the grandmother of his children. If he
mistreats her then he is mistreating his wife and his children, and is
failing to provide the kind treatment that Allaah has enjoined. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning): 

“and live with them honourably”

[al-Nisa’ 4:19] 

“And they (women) have rights (over their husbands as
regards living expenses) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (as
regards obedience and respect) to what is reasonable, but men have a degree
(of responsibility) over them. And Allaah is All-Mighty, All-Wise”

[al-Baqarah 2:228] 

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: “The best of you is the one who is best to his wife, and I am the
best of you to my wives.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (3895) and Ibn Maajah
(1977); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi. 

Think about how the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) was. He used to honour the friends of Khadeejah (may
Allaah be pleased with her) even after she died. This supports what we have
said, that honouring the relatives and friends of one’s wife is honouring
her. 

Muslim (2435) narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased
with her) said: I never felt jealous of any of the wives of the Prophet (S)
except Khadeejah, even though I never met her. She said: When the Messenger
of Allaah (S) slaughtered a sheep, he said: “Send this to the friends of
Khadeejah.” I annoyed him one day and by saying: Khadeejah? The Messenger of
Allaah (S) said: “Her love is instilled in my heart.” 

Muslim also narrated (2437) that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be
pleased with her) said: Haalah bint Khuwaylid, the sister of Khadeejah,
asked permission to enter upon the Messenger of Allaah (S), and he
remembered how Khadeejah used to ask permission, and he felt happy when he
heard that. He said: “O Allaah, Haalah bint Khuwaylid.” 

As for insulting and raising one’s voice, this is the
opposite of kind treatment, rather it is a kind of sin as it is not
permissible for a Muslim to insult a fellow-Muslim. 

Similarly, cutting off ties and ignoring others is forbidden
in Islam. Al-Bukhaari (6077) and Muslim (2560) narrated from Abu Ayyoob
al-Ansaari (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “It is not
permissible for a Muslim to forsake his brother for more than three days,
each of them turning away from the other when they meet. The better of them
is the first to greet the other with salaam.” 

This husband has to fear Allaah and treat his wife and her
relatives well, so as to increase love and harmony and so that Allaah will
bless his family, home and children for him. 

And Allaah knows best.