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Wife Wants Me to Do the Household Chores

15 August, 2019
Q Asalam alaykum waramotullah,

Please, what can I do with a wife who believes her husband must share with her the household chores? She also disrespects her husband and his family.

Answer


In this counseling answer:

• We must look to our beloved prophet (PHUB) and how he lived his life in regard to marital relationships in the households with his wives.

• Perhaps it may be best to speak with the wife and find out why she’s being disrespectful. There may be other factors involved.

• Speak to her in a kind way.


As salamu Alaykum,

Thank you for writing to us. I am not a scholar; therefore, I will only advice you from a counselor’s point of view. For Islamic advice, please submit your question to Ask the Scholar. 

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As I understand your situation, one of the issues you are wondering about concerns “what to do or what is the solution” to the situation wherein a wife wants her husband to help her with domestic work in the house. In this situation, we must look to our beloved prophet (PHUB) and how he lived his life in regard to marital relationships in the households with his wives.

Helping with Chores: Our Beloved Prophet (PBUH) as an Example

The prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did indeed partake in the domestic works in the house. He helped out around the house and he even sewed his own socks. Therefore, based on our beloved prophet’s (PHUH), this it is sunnah. While it is not commanded that a husband do this, there are many blessings in it for a husband.

Wife Wants Me to Do the Household Chores - About Islam

Disrespect in Islam

In regard to a wife disrespecting a husband and his family, that is a haram situation. While you did not specify in which ways disrespect was being shown, it must be dealt with. In Islam, we are to respect one another, especially husbands and wives and family members. Kindness, love, mercy, and respect are the foundations of Islamic relationships between family members.

Dealing with Disrespectful Ways

I would kindly suggest that the wife be counseled on her behavior regarding respect or lack of it. Perhaps it may be best to speak with the wife and find out why she’s being disrespectful. There may be other factors involved, such as she may feel disrespected herself, she may feel as if she is not liked or accepted, or there may be other reasons why she is acting this way. While there may be a reason that she is disrespectful, that is not an excuse to be disrespectful.

Speaking with Wife

I kindly suggest insha’Allah that the husband speak with his wife in a kind way to find out what the problem is. Disrespect may come as anger from a place of deep hurt and feelings of rejection or may come from a place of feeling higher or better than someone else. In both instances it is wrong. Finding out where it is coming from will assist in knowing how to address it.


Check out this counseling video:


Resolving Disrespect

From this perspective, the husband may be able to help resolve any misunderstandings, hurt feelings, or fears the wife may be experiencing. He will also be able to at that point, help her to understand that her ways are disrespectful and need to stop. Insha’Allah by having a conversation which is conducive to resolution using the Qur’an for guidance, the disrespect will be resolved.

We wish you the best you are in my prayers.

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Disclaimer: The conceptualization and recommendations stated in this response are very general and purely based on the limited information provided in the question. In no event shall AboutIslam, its counselors or employees be held liable for any damages that may arise from your decision in the use of our services.

Read more:

Taking Care of Things at Home – Whose Responsibility is it?

Husband Won’t Help Around The House

Can Women Do Household Duties in a State of Ritual Impurity?

 

About Aisha Mohammad
Aisha has a PhD in psychology, an MS in public health and a PsyD. Aisha worked as a Counselor/Psychologist for 12 years at Geneva B. Scruggs Community Health Care Center in New York. She has worked with clients with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, panic disorder, trauma, and OCD. She also facilitated support groups and provided specialized services for victims of domestic violence, HIV positive individuals, as well youth/teen issues. Aisha is certified in Mindfulness, Trauma Informed Care, Behavioral Management, Restorative Justice/ Healing Circles, Conflict Resolution, Mediation, and Confidentiality & Security. Aisha is also a Certified Life Coach, and Relationship Workshop facilitator. Aisha has a part-time Life Coaching practice in which she integrates the educational concepts of stress reduction, mindfulness, introspection, empowerment, self love and acceptance and spirituality to create a holistic healing journey for clients. Aisha is also a part of several organizations that advocates for prisoner rights/reentry, social & food justice, as well as advocating for an end to oppression & racism. In her spare time, Aisha enjoys her family, photography, nature, martial arts classes, Islamic studies, volunteering/charity work, as well as working on her book and spoken word projects.