{"id":8456,"date":"2026-10-12T16:19:59","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T13:19:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/nushuz-saudi-personal-status-law\/"},"modified":"2026-10-12T17:23:21","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T14:23:21","slug":"nushuz-saudi-personal-status-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/nushuz-saudi-personal-status-law\/","title":{"rendered":"Nushuz under the Saudi Personal Status Law: Meaning and Effect on Maintenance"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.usus-tbl{border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:760px;margin:12px 0 20px;font-size:15px}.usus-tbl th{background:#f4eff9;color:#2A124A;font-weight:700;text-align:right;padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:2px solid #C9A227}.usus-tbl td{padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5ddec;vertical-align:top}<\/style>\n<div dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<p>&#8220;Nushuz&#8221; (marital disobedience) is one of the most used words in marital disputes, and often used wrongly. The <strong>Personal Status Law<\/strong> sets when a wife is considered nashiz, what follows from it, and the main effect: <strong>loss of maintenance<\/strong>. Here is the correct meaning, how it is proved, and each spouse&#8217;s rights.<\/p>\n<h2>What is nushuz in law?<\/h2>\n<p>In general, nushuz is a wife&#8217;s refusal to fulfil her marital duties without a lawful reason, such as leaving the marital home or refusing to move into it without an excuse. Refusal for a lawful reason, such as the lack of suitable housing or harm, is not nushuz.<\/p>\n<table class=\"usus-tbl\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Situation<\/th>\n<th>Is it nushuz?<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Leaving the marital home without an acceptable excuse<\/td>\n<td>Usually yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Refusing because of harm or abuse<\/td>\n<td>No, it is a lawful excuse<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>The husband not providing suitable housing<\/td>\n<td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Acting on a condition agreed in the marriage contract<\/td>\n<td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<figure class=\"usus-ig usus-ig-8456-1\"><img class=\"wp-image-8505\" src=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8456-1.webp\" width=\"1200\" height=\"856\" alt=\"What is nushuz in law? \u2014 Nushuz under the Saudi Personal Status Law (Usus Law Firm infographic)\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8456-1.webp 1200w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8456-1-768x548.webp 768w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8456-1-640x457.webp 640w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8456-1-400x285.webp 400w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8456-1-367x262.webp 367w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<h2>What follows once nushuz is proved?<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The wife&#8217;s maintenance lapses for the period of nushuz, while the children&#8217;s right to maintenance remains.<\/li>\n<li>Nushuz may be a ground for, or affect, separation in khul&#8217; and annulment cases.<\/li>\n<li>It does not automatically remove custody; custody is decided on the child&#8217;s interest. Read <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/child-custody-maintenance-saudi-arabia\/\">custody and maintenance<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How is a nushuz claim heard?<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>The path usually starts with an attempt to reconcile the spouses.<\/li>\n<li>The husband files a claim to establish nushuz, or raises it in response to a maintenance claim.<\/li>\n<li>The Personal Status Court examines the reasons and both sides&#8217; evidence.<\/li>\n<li>It rules on whether nushuz is established and on its effect on maintenance.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<figure class=\"usus-ig usus-ig-8456-2\"><img class=\"wp-image-8506\" src=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8456-2.webp\" width=\"1080\" height=\"975\" alt=\"How is a nushuz claim heard? \u2014 Nushuz under the Saudi Personal Status Law (Usus Law Firm infographic)\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8456-2.webp 1080w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8456-2-768x693.webp 768w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8456-2-640x578.webp 640w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8456-2-400x361.webp 400w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-8456-2-367x331.webp 367w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>If the wife wants a separation, read <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/khula-saudi-arabia-conditions-steps\/\">khul&#8217; conditions and steps<\/a>; for the full picture read <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/saudi-personal-status-law\/\">the Personal Status Law<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><em>This is a general explanation; check the current official text of the Personal Status Law, as every case has its own facts.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>Does nushuz remove the wife&#8217;s right to her dower?<\/h3>\n<p>The dower is a separate right established by the contract; nushuz mainly affects maintenance, not the dower.<\/p>\n<h3>I left home because of abuse. Am I nashiz?<\/h3>\n<p>No, abuse is a lawful excuse, and it is wise to document it with a report or a medical certificate.<\/p>\n<h3>Can a husband prove nushuz with a police report alone?<\/h3>\n<p>Proof is before the court; a report may be one piece of evidence but is not enough on its own.<\/p>\n<h2>A marital dispute that needs a solution?<\/h2>\n<p>The <strong>Usus Law Firm<\/strong> team handles <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/service\/personal-status-cases\/\">personal status cases<\/a> in full confidence, with women lawyers in every branch, in <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/lawyer-in-riyadh\/\">Riyadh<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/lawyer-in-tabuk\/\">Tabuk<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:12.5px;color:#6a6178;border-top:1px solid #e6ddd0;padding-top:10px;margin-top:16px\"><em>This article is general legal information and is not a substitute for advice on your specific case. Court proceedings in Saudi Arabia are in Arabic; the official Arabic text of each law prevails.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"usus-qbox\">\n<h2>Request a quick consultation<\/h2>\n<p>Leave your name and mobile number, and a lawyer from our Riyadh or Tabuk office will call you during working hours. We advise in English.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wpcf7 no-js\" id=\"wpcf7-f6963-o1\" lang=\"en-US\" dir=\"ltr\" data-wpcf7-id=\"6963\">\n<div class=\"screen-reader-response\"><p role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\"><\/p> <ul><\/ul><\/div>\n<form action=\"\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8456#wpcf7-f6963-o1\" method=\"post\" class=\"wpcf7-form init\" aria-label=\"Contact form\" novalidate=\"novalidate\" data-status=\"init\">\n<fieldset class=\"hidden-fields-container\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7\" value=\"6963\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_version\" value=\"6.2.2\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_locale\" value=\"en_US\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_unit_tag\" value=\"wpcf7-f6963-o1\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_container_post\" value=\"0\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_posted_data_hash\" value=\"\" \/>\n<\/fieldset>\n<span id=\"wpcf7-6ae24ba9bd338-wrapper\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap cf7apps-honeypot-wrap honeypot-qf-wrap\" style=\"position:absolute;width:1px;height:1px;padding:0;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);white-space:nowrap;border:0;\"><label for=\"wpcf7-6ae24ba9bd338-field\" class=\"hp-message\">Please leave this field empty.<\/label><input id=\"wpcf7-6ae24ba9bd338-field\"  class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text\" type=\"text\" name=\"honeypot-qf\" value=\"\" autocomplete=\"new-password\" tabindex=\"1000\" data-cf7apps-tabindex=\"1000\" \/><\/span>\n<div class=\"usus-qf\">\n<div class=\"f\"><label for=\"q-name\">Name<\/label><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"q-name\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required\" id=\"q-name\" autocomplete=\"name\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Your name\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"q-name\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"f\"><label for=\"q-phone\">Mobile<\/label><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"q-phone\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-tel wpcf7-validates-as-required wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-tel\" id=\"q-phone\" autocomplete=\"tel\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"05xxxxxxxx\" value=\"\" type=\"tel\" name=\"q-phone\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"f\"><label for=\"q-city\">City<\/label><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"q-city\"><select class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-select wpcf7-validates-as-required\" id=\"q-city\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" name=\"q-city\"><option value=\"Riyadh\">Riyadh<\/option><option value=\"Tabuk\">Tabuk<\/option><option value=\"Other city\">Other city<\/option><\/select><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"f w\"><label for=\"q-msg\">Your case in brief (optional)<\/label><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"q-msg\"><textarea cols=\"40\" rows=\"2\" maxlength=\"600\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-textarea\" id=\"q-msg\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"One or two lines are enough\" name=\"q-msg\"><\/textarea><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"s\"><input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-submit has-spinner\" type=\"submit\" value=\"Request a call from a lawyer\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"wpcf7-response-output\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Nushuz&#8221; (marital disobedience) is one of the most used words in marital disputes, and often used wrongly. The Personal Status Law sets when a wife is considered nashiz, what follows from it, and the main effect: loss of maintenance. Here is the correct meaning, how it is proved, and each spouse&#8217;s rights. What is nushuz [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8468,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[91],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8456","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family-law"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":{"landsacpe":["https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-cover-8456-1140x445.jpg?wsr",1140,445,true],"list":["https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-cover-8456-463x348.jpg?wsr",463,348,true],"medium":["https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-cover-8456-300x169.jpg?wsr",300,169,true],"full":["https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-cover-8456.jpg?wsr",1200,675,false]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8456","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8456"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8456\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8508,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8456\/revisions\/8508"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8468"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8456"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8456"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8456"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}