His wife does not cover her hands – should he threaten to divorce her?
Question

                What should I do if my wife refuses to cover her hands, even though I asked her to do that from the beginning, then I commanded her to, but she refuses? What do you say if I threaten her with divorce?.
Praise be to Allah.
    We have explained in the answer to questions no.
    11774 and
    21536 the ruling on 
    women covering their faces and hands, and that it is obligatory for them to 
    cover them in front of non-mahram men. 

    Allaah has enjoined woman to be obedient to her husband, and 
    has made men qawwaamoon (protectors and maintainers) of women. They are 
    supposed to direct and look after women as a leader directs and looks after 
    his people, because of the physical and mental characteristics with which 
    Allaah has distinguished them, as well as the financial duties that He has 
    enjoined upon them. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 
“Men are the protectors 
    and maintainers of women, because Allaah has made one of them to excel the 
    other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means”

    [al-Nisa’ 4:34]

    Ibn Katheer said:  

    ‘Ali ibn Abi Talhah said, narrating from Ibn ‘Abbaas: “Men 
    are the protectors and maintainers of women” means: they are in charge 
    of them and the woman should obey her husband in the matters in which Allaah 
    has enjoined obedience. Obeying him means treating his family well and 
    looking after his wealth. 

    Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 1/492. 
If the wife goes against 
    his wishes and refuses to obey him, the husband has to take a gradual 
    approach in handling the matter. First he should admonish her and remind her 
    of the punishment for disobeying his command. If that does not succeed, then 
    he moves on to forsaking her in bed. If that does not work, then he may hit 
    her, but in a manner that is not severe, and there is nothing wrong with 
    also threatening her with divorce. 

    Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

    “As to those women on whose part you see ill-conduct, 
    admonish them (first), (next) refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat 
    them (lightly, if it is useful)”

    [al-Nisa 4:34]

    Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahmaan al-Sa’di said: 

    “those women on whose part you see ill-conduct” means, 
    those who refuse to obey their husbands and disobey them in word or deed; 
    they should be disciplined gradually. “Admonish them (first)” means, 
    explain the ruling of Allaah concerning obedience to one’s husband, 
    encouraging obedience and warning against disobedience. If the wife stops, 
    then that is what is wanted. Otherwise the husband should forsake her in her 
    bed, by not sleeping with her or having intercourse with her, until the 
    desired result is achieved. Otherwise he may hit her, in a manner that is 
    not severe. If one of these methods achieves the desired result and the wife 
    obeys, then “seek not against them means (of annoyance)” i.e., you 
    have got what you wanted, so do not keep rebuking them for things that are 
    in the past, or draw attention to faults that will cause trouble if you 
    mention them.  

    Tafseer al-Sa’di, p. 142. 

    You can seek help in admonishing her and advising her by 
    means of useful tapes and books which speak of the obligation of hijab for 
    the Muslim woman, and explain the seriousness of disobedience and its 
    consequences in this world and in the Hereafter. 

    You have to be gentle and kind with her. The Messenger of 
    Allaah  (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allah is kind 
    and He loves kindness and confers uponkindness that 
    which he does not confer upon harshness anddoes not 
    confer upon anything else besides it (kindness).”  Narrated by Muslim, 
    2593.   

    And he  (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: 
    “There is never any kindness in a thing but it adorns it, and kindness is 
    never lacking from a thing but that makes it ugly.” Narrated by Muslim, 
    2594.  

    And Allaah knows best.