Is a working wife with a large salary entitled to claim financial support (nafaqah) from her husband? And is the husband entitled to consider her work a waste of her time and the time of her home, despite his knowledge of her work before marriage and his not stipulating that she leave her job?

The wife has the right to demand maintenance even if she is working, unless the husband stipulated the relinquishment of her right to maintenance in exchange for his permission for her to work. This is based on the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "Muslims are bound by their conditions, except for a condition that forbids what is lawful or permits what is unlawful." The husband has the right to prevent his wife from working outside the home, even if he did not stipulate this to her at the time of marriage, because the wife's work may negatively affect her time and effort dedicated to her home and children, thereby preventing the provision of a suitable family atmosphere and proper childcare.