Home
Discover Islam
Quran Recitations
Lectures
Fatwa
Articles
Fiqh
E-Books
Women
Boys & Girls 
Enter Question
View By Subject
Fatwa Of The Week
Selected Fatwa
Fatwa CenterMeaning of Men Being in Charge of Women
Question
Shiekh, for example, if a man who is in charge of his a woman, like a father over his daughter or a husband over a wife exaggerates his power, like not allowing her to work or go out for school or for halal leisure without going out too often, like strolling in a safe park or going to all female gym, even if all the conditions of Shari'a are followed and he prevents her for no reason, is he sinful for that ?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
Islamic law, in its wisdom, has assigned Qiwamah (leadership) to men over women. Allah says in the Quran: {Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth.} [Quran 4:34]
This leadership is just a responsibility and not a privilege. It is a duty for which a man will be held accountable before Allah on the Day of Judgment. The purpose of this responsibility is to protect the woman’s interests in both her religious and worldly affairs, and to maintain order within the family. It is not meant to be a form of control or oppression.
Ibn ‘Atiyyah
explained Qiwamah in his commentary on the Quran: “It means taking charge of something, overseeing it independently, and protecting it with effort and care. Hence, a man’s leadership over women is meant to be based on this understanding.” [End quote]
Furthermore, it is not appropriate for a guardian, be he a father or a husband, to misuse this responsibility by being harsh or overly restrictive toward a woman, especially in matters where there is room for ease.
However, a husband or father would only be committing a sin for preventing a woman from going out if doing so causes her harm or significant hardship. In Sahih Muslim, ‘Aai’shah 
reported that she heard the Prophet 
say in her house: “O Allah, whoever takes charge of any part of my Ummah’s (nation’s) affairs and is hard on them, be hard on him; and whoever takes charge of any part of my Ummah’s affairs and is kind to them, be kind to him.”
At-Tanweer Sharh al-Jami’ as-Sagheer reads: “This applies broadly to anyone under one’s authority or care.” [End quote]
Allah knows best.
Search Fatwa
Fatwa Subject
