Wife and Husband relationship in Islam

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet said, “If I were to order anyone to prostrate himself before another, I would have ordered a woman to prostrate herself before her husband.” [At-Tirmidhi] However, although some have declared it Sahih on the basis of similar ahadith, some others have declared it weak. In fact, Tirmidhi himself calls it weak after quoting it in his Sunan.

Whenever I ask in a gathering about the above hadith, everyone says he has heard it. But when I ask about the hadith concerning eleven women, not a single person would have heard of it. The hadith about sajdah and the common people’s saying: “A man should kill a cat on his wedding night so that wife should be terrorized to fear the husband,” has done great harm to the relationship of the spouses.

The following ayah  in the Qur’an and the hadith of Muslim emphasizes the importance of the husband and wife relationship in Islam.

"....They  (your wives) are apparel for you are apparel for them..."(Qur'an 2:187)

 "...Women have rights (over their husbands as regards living expenses etc.. ) similar to(those of their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and respect etc..) to what is reasonable. "(Qur'an 2:228)

Men are caretakers of women, since Allah has made some of them excel the others, and because of the wealth they have spent. So, the righteous women are obedient, (and) guard (the property and honor of their husbands) in (their) absence with the protection given by Allah. As for women of whom you fear rebellion, convince them, and leave them apart in beds, and beat them. Then, if they obey you, do not seek a way against them. Surely, Allah is the Highest, the Greatest.(Qur'an 4:34)

“And among His Signs is this that He created for you wives (spouses) from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are, indeed, signs for people who reflect.” (The Qur’an, 30: 21)

O you who believe, save yourselves and your families from a fire, the fuel of which is human beings and stones,(Qur'an 66:6)

It was narrated that Anas  said: "The Messenger of Allah said: 'Women and perfume have been made dear to me, but my  comfort has been provided in 'prayer'." (ibn majha 3392)