Question Summary:
Is the wife allowed to do “anything” the husband desires? Even if it is against the dictates of Shari’ah?

Question Detail:

I heard a lady scholar say that if a wife is in a bad marriage, she can do what ever her husband is telling her to do, let it be against the commands of Allah(SWT)Is there a condition acceptable to disobey Allah(SWT)? Exp. we discussed is serving him alcohol, taking off hijab. She's suppose to drink alcohol if he wants her to. I mean those are the very clear disobediences of Allah ( SWT). Jazak'Allah Khair,

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Who is that “scholar” you refer to? What are her qualifications? If she is a scholar, she should be aware of the following Hadith:
لاَ طَاعَةَ فِي مَعْصِيَةٍ، إِنَّمَا الطَّاعَةُ فِي المَعْرُوفِ 
"No obedience for evil deeds, obedience is required only in what is good."[1]
She should also be aware of the following Hadith:
عَلَى الْمَرْءِ الْمُسْلِمِ السَّمْعُ وَالطَّاعَةُ فِيمَا أَحَبَّ وَكَرِهَ، إِلَّا أَنْ يُؤْمَرَ بِمَعْصِيَةٍ، فَإِنْ أُمِرَ بِمَعْصِيَةٍ، فَلَا سَمْعَ وَلَا طَاعَةَ
“It is obligatory upon a Muslim that he should listen (to the ruler appointed over him) and obey him whether he likes it or not, except that he is ordered to do a sinful thing. If he is ordered to do a sinful act, a Muslim should neither. listen to him nor should he obey his orders.”[2]
According to Shari’ah, if a Qadhi (judge) considers something to be circumstantially beneficial but it is against Shari’ah, he too cannot use his influential position as a judge and issue such a ruling. If he issues a ruling against Shari’ah, it will be invalid.[3]
It is clear from all the above that it is not permissible for a wife to perform any deed that is against the teachings of Allah Ta’ala or his Messenger Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam if the husband requests her to do so. This includes consuming alcohol[4] and lifting the hijab/veil from one’s face.[5]
Imam Muslim Rahimahullah mentions the saying of the renowned scholar, Muhammad Ibn Sireen in the muqaddamah (introduction) of Sahih-Muslim:
«إِنَّ هَذَا الْعِلْمَ دِينٌ، فَانْظُرُوا عَمَّنْ تَأْخُذُونَ دِينَكُمْ»
“Indeed this knowledge is faith, so carefully consider from whom you take your faith.”[6]
The scholarly position to the woman in reference is questionable. We advise you to exercise extreme caution when taking knowledge from any source.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
AbdulMannan Nizami
Student Darul Iftaa
Chicago, IL, USA
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net