Is it permissible to divorce one's wife if she refuses to work from home, citing mixing (of genders) in the hospital as a reason, and is this considered a retraction of a prior agreement made before marriage?
A wife's stipulation to her husband that she be allowed to work is a valid and binding condition, and if the husband breaches it, the wife has the right to annul the marriage. Fulfilling the condition is commendable but not obligatory according to the Hanbalis, though Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah considers fulfilling these conditions obligatory. As for divorcing the wife if she insists on going out to work, it is permissible, but not recommended. Rather, it is advisable to treat her with kindness and fulfill the condition if her going out does not involve a Shariah violation, and if she can avoid the harms of mixing. However, if her work involves a Shariah violation, such as suspicious mixing, then the husband has the right to prevent her from working, and the condition is not binding on him.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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