All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
From the viewpoint of Islamic Law, married life should be based on mutual affection, mercy, and treating one another with kindness and respect. Both spouses bear the responsibility of treating each other honorably, as Allah Almighty says {what means}:"And live with them in kindness. For if you dislike them - perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah makes therein much good." (Al-Nisa/ 19) He, the Glorified, also says {what means}: "And due to the wives is similar to what is expected of them, according to what is reasonable. But the men have a degree over them [in responsibility]." (Al-Baqarah/ 228)
The husband is solely responsible for providing financial maintenance for his wife and the household, while the wife—as a general rule—is expected to remain at home to manage her responsibilities toward it.
However, if the wife stipulated in the marriage contract that she be allowed to work outside the home, or if she was already working before the marriage and the husband consented to it without objection, then the husband does not have the right to revoke his consent without a legitimate, justifiable reason, especially if her quitting causes her financial or personal harm. This is based on the guidance of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), who said: " The condition worthier to be fulfilled by you is the one by which you made the private parts (of your wife) lawful (for you)." (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)
This principle is also mirrored in civil law. For instance, Article 61, Paragraph (B) of the Jordanian Personal Status Law No. 15 (2019) states: "A husband may not revoke his consent to his wife’s employment except for a legitimate reason, and provided that doing so does not cause her harm."
That being said, if a wife chooses to work outside the home, she must ensure that her career does not lead to the neglect of her husband and household. A truly successful woman is one who can gracefully balance her career ambitions with her responsibilities toward her home and family. We advise both spouses to navigate this situation with wisdom, emotional maturity, and a clear mind. They should carefully weigh the benefits and disadvantages before making rash decisions, always prioritizing the well-being of their family and striving to resolve their differences amicably.
In conclusion, since the wife’s employment was initially agreed upon by the husband, he has no right to stop her from working unless there is a legitimate, pressing reason to do so. We remind both partners to open the doors of healthy dialogue to resolve their dispute, and to place the peace of their household above personal pride. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.
