Before islam came, the marital relationships were very strange where all the rights belonged to husbands and wives were only to serve them. They had no rights, they could not ask for separation. They could not talk to their husbands in equality because they were not to decide anything in marriages. If a female was divorced by her husband, she had to go back to him whenever he wanted to take her back without her will. This was not the justice done to her, but still she was surviving, giving birth to females like her own self, preparing them to be slaves of men like her husband with no rights and virtually, no life.
By the day islam touched the soil of pagan arab, the life of women changed. They were given the respect they never even imagined. They were given rights which were not for them before. They were told to live like free humans, which was not their fate before. This made them believe and think that they had a status in the society. The wives of the muslims were happy because they could now speak and talk with their husbands over matters of mutual interests. For the first time since ages, they were told that their husbands had responsibilities and they had rights over their husbands.
ALLAh swt said in Quran
Al-Quran 4:19
“consort with women in kindness"
And He said:
Al-Quran 30:21
"And of His signs are this: He created for you helpmeets from yourselves that ye might find rest in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy. Lo, herein indeed are portents for folk who reflect"
In the verses quoted above, ALLAH swt says that wives are not to be treated harshly. Our beloved prophet Muhammad s.a.w.w also ordered muslim men to be gentle and kind towards their wives. He s.a.w.w also said that men should not try to change their wives but they should treat them with love. No person can be straightening to the right path via stick, but only gentle speech and nice behavior can change the other person. And when it comes to wives, they need love and respect, and they should be given love and respect they deserve.
Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.w treated ummul momineen with utmost love and care. He should be taken as the best example in this matter. A happy family means happy life. A happy wife is sing of a happy family. Keep your wives happy, treat them well, feed them well and respect their decisions and understand their problems, there will be no disputes and no major family crises ever.