What was the nature of the work of the wives of the Prophet (PBUH) and the female Companions?

The fundamental principle is that a woman remains in her home, as Allah Almighty says: (And abide in your houses). Her home is her place of residence and her sphere of work, and she should not leave it except out of necessity. This address is general for all believing women. The wives of the Prophet, peace be upon him, confined their activities to serving their husbands and hosting guests, and they did not go out except for prayer or essential needs.

As for the women among the Companions, they performed service within their homes, and some of them would go out to assist their husbands in certain essential matters, such as the divorced woman who was helped in harvesting her date palms, or the weaving and sewing done by Zaynab bint Jahsh, or Asma bint Abi Bakr's service to her husband Al-Zubayr by transporting date pits, or tending to the wounded and caring for the sick during battles.

Women also had an educational role, as they taught other women matters of their religion and questioned the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, about religious issues.