Back to search

Does a man's guardianship over a woman mean he makes all worldly decisions alone, without consulting his wife? What is the ruling on a man whose wife controls his worldly decisions, or who supports the family while he is a stay-at-home husband? Is a married woman required to obtain her guardian's permission to travel or to do something her husband approves of?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The husband's guardianship (qawamah) over his wife means his care for her worldly and religious interests. It is not limited to financial support but includes obligating them to fulfill Allah's rights and preventing them from corruption. This guardianship does not prevent consulting the wife on family matters. It is recommended for the husband to consult his wife regarding their daughter's marriage. There is no objection to letting the wife choose the home furniture as long as she is rational. If the husband finds no earnings and the wife agrees to spend, there is no impediment, and this does not nullify his guardianship. The husband's guardianship over his wife does not necessitate her seeking permission from her family for travel or similar matters; rather, it requires her seeking permission from her husband and obeying him.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

Read the full answer on Ftawy