MAINTENANCE OF MUSLIM WIVES
1. Under the Muslim law, the husband is duty bound to maintain wife provided (i) she is faithful to him and (ii) obeys his reasonable orders. If a wife refuses herself to the husband due to non payment of prompt dower or she leaves the house of husband on account of his cruelty, the wife is entitled for maintenance. If the husband does not maintain the wife, the wife is entitled to sue him for maintenance or she can apply for an order of maintenance under the provisions of CrPc, 1974.
2. After divorce, a Muslim wife is entitled for maintenance during the period of iddath. If a wife is not informed about the divorce, she is entitled for maintenance until the same is informed to her. Agreements between husband and wife for future maintenance are perfectly legal.