Is a wife obligated to perform domestic service for her husband, such as kneading, baking, or cooking?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of the Wedding Feast
Primary text
A wife is not obligated to serve her husband in matters such as kneading dough, baking bread, or cooking, and similar domestic tasks. This view is affirmed by Ahmad. The contractual duty owed by the wife pertains only to the right of enjoyment (al-istimta'a), and nothing beyond that is incumbent upon her, similar to how she is not obligated to water his livestock or harvest his crops. The division of labor between Ali and Fatima by the Prophet (peace be upon him) was based on commendable morals and customary practice, not a legally binding obligation. This is supported by the precedent of Asma bint Abi Bakr serving al-Zubayr by tending his horse and gathering date pits for him, which was not obligatory upon her.
Supporting text
Abu Bakr ibn Abi Shaybah and Abu Ishaq al-Jawzajani held that the wife is obligated to perform these services. They supported this by citing the account of Ali and Fatima, where the Prophet (peace be upon him) decreed the service of the household (khidma al-bayt) to Fatima and external duties to Ali. Al-Jawzajani also cited the Hadith where the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated that if he were to command anyone to prostrate to another, he would command a wife to prostrate to her husband, and that if a man commanded his wife to move mountains, she should obey. Furthermore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) ordered his wives to serve him, such as asking Aisha to fetch water or food and asking her to sharpen a knife.