Talking about wife working in Islam often makes you confused, doesn’t it?
The problem is, in the real world we encounter two extreme camps.
On the one hand, the modern world (especially Western civilization) seems to be mocking us. They say that productive women are those who have careers, hold positions, and earn their own salaries. The identity of a woman workers is considered cooler.
On the other hand, sometimes we encounter the old school belief that women are forbidden to leave the house at all, period.
As a result, we’re left confused. Which is right? If a wife works, is that a sin? If a wife stays at home, does that mean she’s wasting her potential?
In fact, Islam offers just guidance and greatly honors women. Its rules aren’t rigid, but they are clear. Let’s straighten out our mindset on this matter, so our hearts can be at peace and our steps can be blessed.
The Main Role of Women: Trust According to Nature
Before we talk about whether women are allowed to work, we must first agree on their basic role.
Trust in accordance with nature and physical condition
In Islam, the main and most noble role for a woman is as Ummun wa Rabbah al-Bayt (Mother and Household Manager).
Why does it have to be women? Isn’t this unfair?
This is precisely where Islamic justice lies. This role is given to women because it best aligns with their natural and physical attributes.
By nature, women are endowed with a maternal instinct that is far stronger than that of men. Compassion, tenderness, and diligence in educating are a woman’s standard behavior.
Physically, women possess specialties that men don’t: the ability to conceive, give birth, and breastfeed. This is no small responsibility; it’s an incredibly demanding physical and mental task.
Because of this maternal nature and physical specialization, women are the best figures to be ummun wa rabbah al-bayt (mothers and household managers), who are tasked with maintaining peace (sakinah), and the first school for the next generation of civilization.
The Risks to Civilization If This Role Is Abandoned
Well, herein lies both the power and the risk.
This role is highly strategic. If this first school is successful, it will produce a generation with a strong Islamic character.
However, if the role of educating children in this early stage is neglected or fails because the mother is forced to focus on other things, including when the demands of woman workers outside the home overtake her role at home, the risks are not just personal; they can even lead to the destruction of civilization (the facade).
We will lose a generation. We will see a generation of young people whose mindset and attitudes are corrupt, far from Islamic standards. This is too high a risk.
The Glory of Being Freed from the Obligations of Support
Because the main role of women is so heavy, strategic, and has a big impact, sharia actually honors them with one big convenience.
Women are not required to earn a living.
Why?
Because Allah ﷻ has entrusted the responsibility of providing for the family entirely to the husband, as the qawwam (leader and person responsible for the family).
Allah ﷻ says:
ٱلرِّجَالُ قَوَّامُونَ عَلَى ٱلنِّسَآءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ وَبِمَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ مِنْ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ
“Men He is the qawwam (leader and person responsible) for women, because they spend from their wealth.” (Quran Surah An-Nisa [4]: 34)
And it is confirmed again in another verse:
وَعَلَى ٱلْمَوْلُودِ لَهُۥ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَكِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ
“And it is the father’s obligation to feed and clothe the mothers in an appropriate manner.” (Quran Surah Al-Baqarah [2]: 233)
Islam never burdens women with two large mandates at once. Trust builds a generation, and trust earns a living.
Allah ﷻ established the division of roles not to restrain, but to maintain family balance and the continuity of civilization.
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The Law on Wives Working in Islam
So, now let’s discuss the main question: “So, is it permissible for a wife to work?”
The answer is: Yes. Its legal status is permissible.
Mubah, Not Obligatory or Haram
Since the time of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ , many companions also worked or had jobs.
Khadijah’s mother, ra, was a skilled businesswoman. Zainab bint Jahsy (ra) worked as a leatherworker and donated much of her earnings to charity. Asy-Syifa bint Abdullah (ra) was once assigned by Umar bin Khattab (ra) as a market supervisor.
So if someone says it is haram for women to work, that is too narrowing the Shari’a. If someone says that women are obliged to work for independence, like modern social demands for woman workers, that also violates the Shari’a.
Islam has provided the right portion, namely that women are allowed to work, as long as the conditions are met.
Yes, but with conditions.
Islam does not prohibit women from working, but their ability has conditions. This means that women can work as long as it does not conflict with the basic mandate and rules of sharia.
First , get the husband’s permission, because the husband is the qawwam who is responsible for looking after his wife.
Second, the main mandate is maintained, work does not make the household messy.
Third , obey sharia rules, such as covering your private parts, not tabarruj, not free will, maintaining manners and morals.
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When the Wife Has Her Own Income
If a wife ends up working and earning an income, there are two important things that are often misunderstood.
Ownership of the wife’s property belongs entirely to the wife
In Islamic ownership law, as explained in Nidhomul Iqtishad by Taqiyuddin An-Nabhani, the wife’s property is the wife’s personal property entirely. Including salary, business results, honorarium, or anything he obtains lawfully.
The husband may not take it except with the total consent of his wife.
Remember, this isn’t about whether the husband is romantic or not; it’s purely a matter of Islamic law. A wife’s salary is her property. And there’s no debate about that in Islamic jurisprudence.
Husband’s Maintenance is Not Terminated
Even though the wife has a bigger salary, the husband’s obligation remains the same, namely to provide for his wife.
If your husband stops providing for you with the excuse that “you already have a salary , that is wrong and could be cruel.
This means that when a wife helps her family wholeheartedly, the reward is immense. But if she’s forced to do so? That’s not charity, it’s injustice.
Also read: Afraid Your Income Will Stop If You Stay Sharia-Compliant?
Conclusion: Straightening Intentions, Honoring Roles
Finally, the issue of whether a wife can work in Islam is not a matter of whether it is permissible or not, but a matter of intention, rules, and balance.
For women: never feel inferior if you choose to focus on the home. It’s a very noble and strategic role.
If you work, whether as a professional, entrepreneur, or woman workers, you must maintain the basic mandate and sharia rules.
Husbands, don’t shirk responsibility. Providing for your family is a huge responsibility. If your wife helps, it’s a gift, not an obligation.
Sometimes we need to stop for a moment, look at ourselves, and ask:
“Whose standards am I actually following? The changing standards of humans, or the standards of Allah ﷻ, who knows best?”
May Allah ﷻ protect our homes, give us wisdom to organize our life’s trust, and open the door to sakinah in every step.
“A strong house is not built by two perfect people, but by two people who are willing to obey perfect rules.”
Also read: A Profitable Business, But Declining Faith? How Come?
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Devin Halim Wijaya, B.B.A, M.Sc
Independent Sharia Consultant
Instagram: @devinhalimwijaya
Linkedin: @devinhalim
Reference
Al-Qur’an. Al-Karim. Accessed from: https://quran.com/
An-Nabhani, Taqiyuddin. Socialization System in Islam (An-Nizhâm Al-Ijtimâ’î fi Al-Islam). Jakarta: Library of Islamic Thoughts
An-Nabhani, Taqiyuddin). Islamic Personality Volume I. Jakarta: Library of Islamic Thoughts.
An-Nabhani, Taqiyuddin. Islamic Economic System (Nidhomul Iqtishod fil Islam) . Bogor: Library of Islamic Thoughts.