What are the details of what Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said to the man who came to complain to him about his wife? The man found Umar in a verbal argument with his own wife, and Umar told him something to the effect of: "You must bear with your wife, because she does household work that is not obligatory upon her."
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Oct 24, 2026
A wife must serve her husband in the ways that her peers among women do, or what is customary for women like her. Ibn al-Qayyim mentioned excellent words concerning this matter. As for what was mentioned about Umar, it is not known. It is narrated in al-Bukhari that the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not order Ali to provide a servant for Fatimah when she asked him. Instead, he directed her to tasbeeh (subhanallah), tahmeed (alhamdulillah), and takbeer (allahu akbar), which indicates that household service is not obligatory for the husband if the wife is capable of performing it.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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