32. Is it my right as a Muslim man to
force my wife to wear a hijab?
No, the husband cannot impose hijab on his wife. In fact, a husband must not impose anything on his wife. Islam accords equal status to women as that to men. The Quran says:
You are members, one of another. (Quran 3:195)
This means that there is no difference between the two as regards status, rights and blessings both in this world and in the Hereafter.
In case a man requires something out-of-ordinary from his wife, a special provision has to be agreed upon between the two – husband and wife. It should be done at the time of or before marriage itself and with mutual consent. This special provision works both ways and the wife can ask for something out-of-ordinary from her husband as well.