Gender Roles in Islam - Family

Family

Further information: Rights and obligations of spouses in Islam

The Qu'ran states that unless a wife is guilty of open sexual transgression, a believer should not subject his wife to harsh treatment, even if he dislikes his wife. If a believer behaves in a good manner to his wife even though he doesn't like her, the Qur'an used the word Asā (‘عَسَى’), which implies in this context a promise from God of a great reward.

Modern scholars say that the Qur'an instructs husbands to deal with their wives according to good conventions and traditions of a society and emphasize the importance of taking counsel and mutual agreement in family decisions.

Similarly, it is attributed to Muhammad:

• Fear Allah in respect of women.
• The best of you are they who behave best to their wives.
• A Muslim must not hate his wife, and if he be displeased with one bad quality in her, let him be pleased with one that is good.
• The more civil and kind a Muslim is to his wife, the more perfect in faith he is.

In many Islamic societies, there is a division of roles creating a woman’s space in the private sphere of the home and a man’s in the public sphere. A woman's primary responsibility is usually interpreted as fulfilling her role as a wife and mother, whereas a man’s role is to work and be able to financially support his wife and family.