Is There Any Reason Why A Wife Can’t Teach Her Husband?
Answered by Shaykh Jamir Meah
Question: Assalamu alaykum
Is it permissible for a wife to teach her husband?
My husband recently approached me and asked me to teach him how to read Quran, because he doesn’t know.
Answer: Wa’alaykum assalam. I pray this finds you in the best of states insha’Allah.
It certainly is permissible for a wife to teach her husband in any matter of the religion, and it would be an act that carries great rewards. The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘Whoever guides someone to goodness will have a similar reward.’ [Muslim]
Teaching Qur’an
Teaching the Qur’an carries a special virtue as the Prophet ﷺ stated, ‘The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it’ [al Bukhari].
At the same time, the way one teaches a subject, particularly the Qur’an, is very important.
Each person knows themselves and their abilities, and the decision to teach should be based on this. Not everyone makes a good teacher, and not everyone makes a good student. This is why the Prophet ﷺ said, ‘Teach others, make things easy, and do not make things difficult. When one of you is angry, he should remain silent.’ [Musnad Ahmad].
It is very important for both teacher and student to be patient and respectful. This can be a potential problem when spouses teach one another, but not always the case. Therefore, make your decision based on your own personalities and dynamics of your relationship.
If you feel problems may occur, then it may be wiser for your husband to find another teacher. If there is none available, then you should teach him, as it is important for him to be able to read the Qur’an. However, I suggest that you, as the teacher, set some basic rules down before you begin any lessons, as well as discussing possible issues that may arise and how you will both deal with them constructively.
I would also encourage you both to pray Salat al Istikhara (The Prayer for Decision Making) before proceeding.
May Allah grant you both tawfiq in teaching and learning the Qur’an. I pray it is a source of bringing you both closer in love and respect towards each other and the religion.
Warmest salams,
[Shaykh] Jamir Meah
Shaykh Jamir Meah grew up in Hampstead, London. In 2007, he traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he spent nine years studying the Islamic sciences on a one-to-one basis under the foremost scholars of the Ribaat, Tarim, with a main specialization and focus on Shafi’i fiqh. In early 2016, he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continues advanced studies in a range of Islamic sciences, as well as teaching. Jamir is a qualified homeopath.
