Q: I am dentist but not interested in working. My only purpose of marriage was to serve my husband in Islamic ways, obey him and stay with his family. But his demand and wish was for me to work. He said that it doesn't matter if I go outside and remove my burkha and work. It doesn't matter if I have to discuss professional services and cases with male doctors. It doesn't matter if I have to travel alone on buses and trains or for long journeys. He just wants me to work which pleases him and makes him proud in front of friends and society.
He doesn't consider my will nor understands my view for not working. I told within a few months that when we have a baby inshallah then responsibilities will increase and I want to be at home and raise the child and serve him and take care of the home. Though, he is financially fit and earns a good salary, he and his mother always taunts me for not wanting to work.
After so much mental stress I had a miscarriage and fell very ill and decided not to work to avoid such nusiance. I was so weak and was planning for pregnancy and I told him when my bus stop comes, please come early and pick me up and while departing, he should hold my hands because I was afraid of losing a baby agian, but he never came early neither stood at the stop. Sometimes I felt like I should catch hold of the conductors hand who is non a Muslim and na mahram to avoid falling and discomfort but again held myself back because it woulld be a sin if I do so? In such situations what should I to do?
A: In shariah, the wife has been commanded to remain at home and take care of the children as well as see to the internal affairs of the home. The husband has been commanded with the responsibility of earning a livelihood and providing for his wife and family. Hence, it is not permissible for your husband to force you to leave home to work.
Your husband does not have the proper understanding of deen. He is more concerned about his reputation in society rather than fulfilling the command of Allah Ta’ala. By him forcing you to work in such an environment where you will have to come into contact with non mahram doctors and interact with them, he is committing a major sin. Therefore, you should not obey him in this command as it opposees the laws of shariah.
Try to get an aalim to explain to him his marital responsibilities and guide him towards the sunnah. If he does not accept and continues to force you, then you should move away and stay with your parents until the time he accepts to keep you at home.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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