Females helping in the family business
Question:-
I wanted to find out if it is the duty of the daughters and wife to help the husband/father in his business?
The business is in a male dominant industry. If the women of the house do not help, will they be sinful?
Answer:-
Both males and females have been given designated roles to play in a marriage and home. When Hadrat Ali Radiallahu Anhu married Hadrat Fatima Radiallahu Anha, Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam informed Hadrat Ali Radiallahu Anhu that he should attend to the external duties and Hadrat Fatima Radiallahu Anha should attend to the internal duties of the home. From this narration it is clearly understood that, it is the responsibility of the male to go out and earn a livelihood, whilst the female should remain at home and attend to the household chores.
Also, in verse 21 of Surah Rūm, Allah Ta’ala mentions the objective of Nikah which is, to find Sukoon (peace and comfort) in the wife. Now, if both spouses go out to work, then how will the husband find peace and comfort in the wife, as both spouses will be exhausted at the end of the day. Yes, if the wife remains at home, then she could be a means of comfort to her husband after a tiring day’s work. This is again proof that the female should remain at home.
It is mentioned in Verse 34 of Surah Nisaa that, Allah Ta’ala has granted superiority to men over women because they are responsible for providing for their spouses which we have quoted below:
الرِّجَالُ قَوَّامُونَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ اللَّهُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ وَبِمَا أَنفَقُوا مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ – النساء: 34
“Men are maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them excel over others and because they spend from their wealth on them.” (An-Nisaa Verse 34)
This is yet another proof that it is the sole responsibility of the man to provide for his spouse, and not the responsibility of the women to earn a living. In fact, the Quraan Sharif categorically states that the females should remain within the confines of their homes.
وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ الْأُولَى – الاحزاب: 33
Remain in your houses and do not display your beauty as it was previously displayed in the Time of Ignorance. (Al-Ahzaab Verse 33)
In conclusion, a female should remain at home and not venture outdoors to earn a living, particularly where she will be interacting with other male staff and customers. Yes, if due to necessity she engages in home industries such as cooking at home or baking at home, and selling to females, then there is no harm in doing so, with the proviso that it is done within the confines of the home.
The household women will not be sinful for remaining at home and not assisting in the business, particularly when going to the business comprises of so many evils such as interacting with other men, etc. They should remain at home as commanded by Allah Ta’ala. Yes, there is no harm in assisting from the home with payment of accounts, or emailing orders to companies, capturing stock on the computer system (GRV) etc. If assistance is required in the business, then additional staff should be employed.
ANSWERED BY:
Maulana Ahmed Saeed
Date: 19 Shawwal 1444 / 10 May 2023
CHECKED, APPROVED AND EDITED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai