Threatening wife with divorce to do unlawful deeds
12-1-2014 | IslamWeb
Question:
There is a man who wants to compel his wife to watch porno movies with him though he knows that such an act is unlawful. He gave her the choice either to watch with him or to divorce her. However, she insists on refusing this act in spite of the probability of divorce. Should she obey him in doing an act of disobedience to Allaah?
May Allaah Reward you.
Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
It is impermissible for the husband to threaten his wife with divorce to compel her to commit such a sin. Doing so is a clear act of Diyaathah (a man's approval of indecency among his womenfolk) that indicates hardness of heart and weak faith.
This woman did well when she insisted on her refusal. We say to this woman to beware of obeying your husband in terms of doing any misdeed and forbidden acts to please him, even if this leads to divorce. Rather, you should obey him in terms of doing good deeds. He cannot avail you anything before Allaah. ‘Aa’ishah 
said that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Whoever pleases Allaah by displeasing people, Allaah Will be Sufficient for him against people. Whoever displeases Allaah by pleasing people Allaah Will Entrust him to people.” [Ibn Hibbaan and others; Jayyid chain of transmission]
You should utilize the chance when your husband is calm to advise him to obey Allaah and avoid sinning. You should do so in a fair way and with wisdom. You should remind him that Allaah Is Watchful over him and that his command to you to watch unlawful things is an evildoing that is not fit for the believers. Rather, it is fit for the hypocrites. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {The hypocrite men and hypocrite women are of one another. They enjoin what is wrong and forbid what is right and close their hands. They have forgotten Allaah, so He Has Forgotten them [accordingly]. Indeed, the hypocrites – it is they who are the defiantly disobedient.} [Quran 9:67]
If he divorces you, be sure that Allaah Will Grant you a better husband instead of him. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):
· {But if they separate [by divorce], Allaah Will Enrich each [of them] from His abundance. And ever is Allah Encompassing and Wise.} [Quran 4:130]
· {And whoever fears Allaah – He Will Make for him a way out * And Will Provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allaah – then He Is Sufficient for him. Indeed, Allaah Will Accomplish His purpose. Allaah Has already Set for everything a [decreed] extent.} [Quran 65:2-3]
Whoever forsakes something for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will give them something better in return.
Allaah Knows best.