Stay-At-Home Husbands

QUESTION:

Please comment on the current trend today where men remain at home while women go out to work and earn an income for the household. In some cases, this is not the desire of a woman to do so, but she is left without a choice because her husband makes no effort in finding employment.

ANSWER:

In principle, it is absolutely incorrect for the husband not to work while driving his wife out to earn a living.

In Islam, it is the responsibility of the man to venture outdoors and earn one’s sustenance. As for the women, the Quraan Majeed clearly states that they should remain at home:

وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ الْأُولَىٰ

(الأحزاب آ:33)

“Remain in your homes and do not make a display of yourselves as was the practice of the former period of ignorance.”

Also consider the following Hadith:

عن عبد الله رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: إن المرأة عورة فإذا خرجت استشرفها الشيطان وأقرب ما تكون من وجه ربها وهي في قعر بيتها

(مسند البزار، الرقم: 1820)

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood Radiallahu Anhu reports that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “A woman should be concealed (from strange men). When she leaves her home, Shaytaan looks at her. The time that she is closest to her Rabb is when she is within the confines of her home.”

Furthermore, when it comes to the expenses of women, Islam has made provisions under all circumstances. Prior to Nikaah, it is the responsibility of the father to take care of his daughter, and after Nikaah, it is the responsibility of the husband to take care of his wife. If the husband passes away or separation takes place, then too our Deen commands the close family members to fulfil the needs of such a woman.

وَالْأُمُّ إذَا كَانَتْ فَقِيرَةً فَإِنَّهُ يَلْزَمُ الِابْنَ نَفَقَتُهَا، وَإِنْ كَانَ مُعْسِرًا، أَوْ هِيَ غَيْرَ زَمِنَةٍ (الفتاوى الهندية 1/565)

تَجِبُ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ نَفَقَةُ امْرَأَتِهِ الْمُسْلِمَةِ وَالذِّمِّيَّةِ وَالْفَقِيرَةِ وَالْغَنِيَّةِ دَخَلَ بِهَا أَوْ لَمْ يَدْخُلْ كَبِيرَةً كَانَتْ الْمَرْأَةُ أَوْ صَغِيرَةً يُجَامَعُ مِثْلُهَا كَذَا فِي فَتَاوَى قَاضِي خَانْ سَوَاءٌ كَانَتْ حُرَّةً أَوْ مُكَاتَبَةً كَذَا فِي الْجَوْهَرَةِ النَّيِّرَةِ (الفتاوى الهندية 1/544)

From the above, we understand that it is the role of the men to earn a living.

Today, unfortunately, men have neglected attending Deeni programmes and Majaalis of our senior Mashaaikh (spiritual mentors) which leaves us with dilemmas such as the one cited in the query.

In conclusion, you should encourage your husband to attend Deeni programmes and seek guidance from a senior Aalim in your area which will correct his understanding, Insha’Allah.

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani

Date: 25 Muharram 1448 / 11 July 2026

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb