Unemployed Husband,What Does Islam Say?

Devin Halim Wijaya20 November 2025

19 3 minutes read

When a Unemployed Husband whether because of losing his job, illness, or simply choosing not to, many ask: “What is the ruling in Islam?”
This issue is not just about income. It’s about responsibility, dignity, and barakah (divine blessing) within the family.

Also read: Hard Work and It’s Importance in Islam

A Husband’s Duty in the Light of Sharia

In Islam a husband is expected to be the head of the household not to rule but to take on the larger duty of providing and guarding. Allah ﷻ declares:

الرِّجَالُ قَوَّامُونَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ اللَّهُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ وَبِمَا أَنْفَقُوا مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ
“Men are protectors and maintainers of women because Allah ﷻ has given some of them more (strength) than others, and because they spend from their wealth.”
(Surah An-Nisā’, 4:34)

This verse lays out the husbands obligation to give his family food, clothing and shelter (nafkah) When he is capable and in good health. If a husband chooses not to work and lets his wife handle all the financial responsibilities, he’s neglecting that Allah ﷻ has entrusted to him.

However, Islam is fair and balanced. If a husbands inability to work because of illness, losing his job or other real hardship becomes a shared struggle for the family, in these situations, the wife’s assistance is an act of sadaqah or charity and compassion performed for Allah ﷻ’s sake, and not violation for sharia law.

Also read: Islamic Guidance During the Layoff Storm

Not Choosing to Work: Ignoring Allah ﷻ Entrusted

The true issue is when a healthy and capable husband refuses to work due to pride or laziness. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said a hadith in teaching the value of dignity through effort:

لَأَنْ يَأْخُذَ أَحَدُكُمْ حَبْلَهُ، فَيَأْتِيَ بِحُزْمَةِ الْحَطَبِ عَلَى ظَهْرِهِ فَيَبِيعَهَا، فَيَكُفَّ اللَّهُ بِهَا وَجْهَهُ، خَيْرٌ لَهُ مِنْ أَنْ يَسْأَلَ النَّاسَ أَعْطَوْهُ أَوْ مَنَعُوهُ.

“It is better for one of you to take a rope, gather a bundle of firewood on his back and sell it, thereby preserving his face, than to beg from people who may give him or not.”
(Bukhari 1471)

This hadith affirms the worth of hard work regardless of the amount of money earned and social status of the job. In Islam refusing to work while expecting others to provide is more shameful than performing low level tasks. A husband who neglects his responsibility to work without a valid reason has failed a divine duty. On the other hand a man who makes a sincere effort despite his lack of success accomplishes an act of worship.

Also read: Smart Lifestyle: Manage Your Money to Grow

The Middle Path and the Wife’s Role

Living with an unemployed husband can be challenging for wives. However, Islam emphasizes moderation: maintain respects while simultaneously providing kind counsel and support. If necessary, a wife may provide financial support but not in a way that would take the place of her husbands responsibilities. She has the right to seek advice from family mediation, local scholars or if required Sharia-compliant legal options if the situation continues and the husband is unwilling to make changes. The goal is not to break the marriage but to restore justice and dignity within it.

Also read: Responsibility as Professional Ethic for Muslims

Re-centering The Family on Tauhid

Ultimately the solution of every marriage problem lies in tauhid, the awareness that everything we do is for Allah ﷻ. When done with sincerity, working, giving and encouraging one another are all forms of worship. Allah ﷻ reminds us of this:

وَقُلِ اعْمَلُوا فَسَيَرَى اللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ

“And say, ‘Do deeds, for Allah ﷻ will see your deeds, and so will His Messenger and the believers.’” (Surah At-Taubah: 105)

This verse exhorts every believer to take action including working, trying, and accepting responsibility. At the end of the day it’s not wealth that defines a family’s strength but the barakah born from sincerity, effort and mutual responsibility under the watch of Allah ﷻ . When a husband works out of faith and a wife supports with patience both are walking the path of worship, and when a husband gets unemployed out of his laziness, he is neglecting his responsibility in Islam. May Allah ﷻ bless us with peaceful family in this world and after death.

Also read: How to Keep Faith in Hard Times

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Devin Halim Wijaya, B.B.A, M.Sc
Independent Sharia Consultant

Instagram: @devinhalimwijaya

Linkedin: @devinhalim