Q: What is the concept of gender roles in Islam? Do the husband and wife have different roles and responsibilities?
A: Islam is second to none in advocating fairness and justice. In every dimension of a person’s life, one will find Islam advocating the highest degree of justice. As a result of Islam’s unparalleled justice, we see that each spouse is allocated their own responsibilities and duties in their marital life.
It is recorded in the Mubaarak Hadith that when Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu) married Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu anha), Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) advised them regarding the manner in which they should conduct themselves in the nikaah. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) outlined the duties and responsibilities of each spouse, instructing Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu anha) to attend to the duties within the home and Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu) to fulfil the responsibilities out of the home.
From this Hadith, we understand that each spouse has been allocated his/her own specific duties and responsibilities. The husband’s duty and responsibility is to fulfil the needs and requirements of his wife and family, such as providing them with food, clothing, shelter, etc. He is thus required to leave the home in order to generate an income through which he will be able to fulfil his responsibilities. On the other hand, the wife has been commanded to remain within the confines of the home and not leave the home except at the time of need, as she has been allocated the duty of tending to the internal affairs of the home. Hence, she should serve her husband, take care of the children and manage the affairs of the home such as cooking, keeping the home tidy, etc.
If each spouse acts responsibly and fulfils their respective duties and responsibilities, the home will run smoothly and they will prosper as a happy family. Each spouse will be able to fulfil the rights they owe to Allah Ta‘ala and the rights they owe to each other. Furthermore, both parents will be able to focus on instilling Islamic values in the children and giving them the correct upbringing which they require.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ الْأُولَىٰ ۖ وَأَقِمْنَ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتِينَ الزَّكَاةَ وَأَطِعْنَ اللَّـهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۚ إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّـهُ لِيُذْهِبَ عَنكُمُ الرِّجْسَ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمْ تَطْهِيرًا ﴿الأحزاب:٣٣﴾
عن ضمرة بن حبيب قال قضى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم على ابنته فاطمة بخدمة البيت وقضى على علي بما كان خارجا من البيت من الخدمة (مصنف ابن أبي شيبة، الرقم: 29677)
عن أبي أمامة عن النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم أنه كان يقول ما استفاد المؤمن بعد تقوى الله خيرا له من زوجة صالحة إن أمرها أطاعته وإن نظر إليها سرته وإن أقسم عليها أبرته وإن غاب عنها نصحته في نفسها وماله (سنن ابن ماجة، الرقم: 1857)
عن إياس بن عبد الله بن أبي ذباب قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لا تضربوا إماء الله فجاء عمر إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال ذئرن النساء على أزواجهن فرخص في ضربهن فأطاف بآل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم نساء كثير يشكون أزواجهن فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم لقد طاف بآل محمد نساء كثير يشكون أزواجهن ليس أولئك بخياركم (سنن أبي داود، الرقم: 2146)
عن عبد الرحمن بن عوف قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم إذا صلت المرأة خمسها وصامت شهرها وحفظت فرجها وأطاعت زوجها قيل لها ادخلي من أي أبواب الجنة شئت (مجمع الزوائد، الرقم: 7634)
فروع استأجر امرأته لتخبز له خبزا للأكل لم يجز
قال الشامي: قوله ( لم يجز ) لأن هذا العمل من الواجب عليها ديانة لأن النبي قسم الأعمال بين فاطمة وعلي فجعل عمل الداخل على فاطمة وعمل الخارج على علي (رد المحتار 6/62)
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