Is it one of the wife’s rights to have her own accommodation?

 

Is a man under obligation to provide a separate accommodation for his wife even though they can live with his parents as there is enough space and no problem of a non-mahram being there. Is this one of the rights that the wife has upon her husband?.

Praise be to Allaah.

One of the wife’s rights is that her husband should provide
her with safe accommodation. This may vary according to what the husband can
afford. A rich man should provide something that is appropriate for him, and
a poor man is not obliged to do any more than that which is in accordance
with what Allaah has given him. It is not permissible for a husband to make
anyone live with his wife whose presence will cause her harm such as his
mother, father or sons from another wife. If one of his parents needs him,
and she will not be affected by his or her presence, then we advise the wife
to fear Allaah with regard to this one who is in need. She should realize
that honouring her husband’s parents is part of treating him kindly, and the
wise husband should  appreciate his wife’s actions which will increase the
bonds of love between them. 

But if the husband can provide one house for his parents and
another for his wife close by, this is a good action, and by doing so he
will be giving each of them their rights, without causing any separation or
arguments.  

We have discussed in detail the wife’s right to accommodation
in the answer to question no. 7653. 

Anyone who has seen the problems and arguments that affect
families and cause trouble between couples because of the wife living with
her husband’s family and vice versa will see the wisdom in what the scholars
say, and in the wife’s right to live in her own accommodation. But if the
wife agrees to live with her husband’s family in order to be kind to her
husband, and to honour his parents, especially if they need help, then there
is nothing wrong with that and she will be rewarded by Allaah for this
kindness in sha Allah. But she must be patient and forbearing. And Allaah is
the One Whose help we seek and in Whom we put our trust. 

And Allaah knows best.