Jurisprudential - legal studies of woman and family

Jurisprudential - legal studies of woman and family

An Examination of the Condition Implicit in the Marriage Contract Regarding the Wife's Obligation to Obey Her Husband in the Choice of Attire

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Ali Boloori 1
Mohammad Roshan 2
Fatemeh Abiri 1
1 Ph.D. Candidate in Private Law, Family Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Private Law, Family Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
In traditional and Muslim societies, women's veiling and modest dress constitute significant and influential issues within the context of family life and spousal relations. Accordingly, many men select their spouses based on criteria related to attire and, following marriage, expect their wives to observe a particular type or standard of dress. Given the importance of the issue of women's covering and hijab, spouses may reach an agreement in this regard either through an explicit stipulation within the marriage contract or through an implied mutual understanding. Islamic jurisprudence and positive law remain silent on the validity or invalidity of such an agreement. Therefore, the present study, employing a descriptive-analytical method, seeks to address the following questions: Can a husband, by invoking an explicit or implied condition, obligate his wife to adhere to a specific form of dress? And is such a condition legally valid? The findings of this research indicate that the choice of attire is a right that the wife may, within the limits prescribed by Islamic law, transfer to another party. The legal opinions (fatwas) of certain jurists, which affirm the wife's authority in selecting her type of dress, lend support to the validity of the aforementioned condition. From a legal standpoint, the condition is also deemed valid; however, its breach carries no specific sanction, and only civil liability may be contemplated for the party in violation.
Keywords
Condition implicit in the marriage contract
Wife's attire
Obligation to obey the husband
Right versus legal ruling in the choice of dress
Subjects
A.    Scriptures
 
The Holy Qur'an.
 
B.     Other sources
 
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Jurisprudential - legal studies of woman and family
Volume 8, Issue 16 - Serial Number 16
September 2026
Pages 127-154

  • Receive Date 30 July 2025
  • Revise Date 30 September 2025
  • Accept Date 07 November 2025