Is a man permitted to beat or abandon his wife if she falls short in her housework, such as cooking, washing, and cleaning? Is a woman's work in her husband's house an obligatory duty, and would she be sinful if she falls short in it? Is she allowed to request a maid? What is the ruling if I compel her to do some work and she does not do it, so I beat her—would I be sinful? Am I obligated to help her in the house?

The disobedient and rebellious wife (nashiz) should be disciplined through admonition and reminder. If this does not work, then through shunning (hajr). If that also fails, then through non-injurious physical discipline (darb ghayr mubarreh). However, it is preferable to avoid physical discipline and instead exercise patience, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Those are not the best among you."

Regarding the wife's service in her home, Ibn al-Qayyim preferred the view that it is obligatory. Consequently, it is permissible to strike her for her negligence in this matter if admonition and shunning do not work, though this is contrary to what is preferable. If her service is not obligatory, then it is not permissible to strike her for it. The husband is not obliged to bring a maid unless it is customary for women of her status not to serve themselves. Assisting her in household chores is part of the Prophet's guidance, peace and blessings be upon him.