By Aderonke Adeyeri
In Islam, marriage is part of the social arrangement for bringing about a responsible society. A Muslim woman is expected to take care of the home but in an economy like ours where most men need the financial support of their wives;  how best can a Muslim woman  support her husband without shirking her responsibilities and by extension jeopardizing her marriage relationship? These are the questions put forward to some Muslim women. Enjoy it.

Learn to carry your husband along—Mrs Olarenwaju Rasaq (Teacher)

The role of a Muslim woman is clearly defined and outlined in Islam. Briefly, apart from her primary role of bringing up her children, a Muslim woman must carry out all the duties at home with devotion and enthusiasm. The following hadith reminds her of the rewards and merits attached to undertaking her primary duties.
A woman came to ask the Prophet (s.a.w) about some matter, and when he had dealt with it, he asked her, “Do you have a husband?” She said, “Yes.” He asked her, “How are you with him?” She said, “I never fall short in my duties, except for that which is beyond me.” He said, “Pay attention to how you treat him, for he is your Paradise and your Hell.” But our economy has added to our responsibility which is supporting our husband financially and we must learn to accept that. However, a Muslim woman should still maintain a smooth relationship with her family. She must only go for a job that will still create time for her family and still see to the welfare of your family. It is also important to carry your family along especially your husband with every development at your place of work and make sure you do not ignore your duties under the excuse of tiredness or any other reason.

No denial of sex ‘cos of work—Mrs Shotunde

We all know that the financial responsibilities rest on the husband but it is also important the wife helps her husband to the limit of her capacity. The Prophet’s wife, Khadijah  was not only a businesswoman but also a successful one at that. The other wife Aisha  was widely known for her major contribution to the hadith. But even at that, a woman remains a woman and should only engage in jobs that would not be far from her home. Prophet Mohammed (s.a.w) said that the husband is the head of the home and also emphasized that the woman should guard her husband’s property. (Qur’an 4 verse 34). Again, a Muslim woman should not work in prohibited places like a beer parlor in the name of supporting the home. There should be a mutual understanding between the wife and the husband before taking any job. A working Muslim woman can sustain her marriage when she has it at the back of her mind that she is only working because her husband permits it and can stop her from working anytime he feels. Again, sexual relationship between a Muslim woman and her husband must not be affected by her work. The intercourse and oral sex relations should be mutually enjoyable and acceptable.

A Muslim woman should stay at home—Maimuna Mukhtar

God devotes an entire chapter of the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam, to women. In addition, God directly addressed women repeatedly throughout the Quran. Islam further confirms that both men and women are equal in the sight of God. In the Qura’n, God declares, “…Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you…” (Q49:13)  At another place in the Qur’an, God clearly states that all humans are equal: “To whoever, male or female, does good deeds and has faith, We shall give a good life and reward them according to the best of their actions.” (Q16:97)
Men and women are equal, but Islam recognizes that they are not identical. However, a Muslim woman should not be a career woman, she should stay with the children. That is the best way to sustain one’s marriage.