Logic For Islamic Rules

Has Islam Prescribed the Duties of Women?

Question: According to the decree of Islamic jurisprudence, the housework and breastfeeding of children and their care is not obligatory for the woman. Also, it is obligatory on the husband to arrange for the maintenance of the wife. On the basis of this, she does not need to work outside her home. Therefore, neither is it obligatory for her to earn nor is she bound to do the housework. What is the duty of woman in the society?

Answer: If Islam has not made housework, breastfeeding and care of children on woman its aim was the position of women should be elevated in society. And in order to do this they were given a free hand so that she does all this willingly. And if she desires she can take recompense for all this. But we should remember that if a particular thing is not obligatory it does not mean that she has been refrained from doing it.

Doubtlessly in order to elevate the status of women, Islam has not made housework obligatory on them. So that they are not reduced to a maidservant. Actually it has based these things on her conscience and natural desires. Apparently mothers love their children to no end. This motherly feeling makes them feed them with the juice of her body and brings them up. Women are by nature inclined towards the beautification of the house and this inclination is itself a surety of the well being of house. Thus nearly fourteen centuries have passed since the dawn of Islam and the same customs continue between Muslim men and women. Muslim

women should continue to fulfill these natural duties, and in times of need they have been capable  to gain benefits from their legal rights.