Dear Shaykh! My mother is the only one who cooks, cleans, hoovers and does all the washing up in the house and my dad and brothers offer no help at all; they just make more mess. I keep telling them that these are not the characteristics of a good Muslim and that everyone should do their share; but, instead of helping me and my mother, they have handed me all there ironing saying that’ idols hands make work for the devil’. I don’t think this is fair. Could you please give me your opinion on this matter? Thank you!

ANSWER

With all due respects, I’m glad I do not live in that house! Allah Taa’la says in the Holy Qur’an that, “You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah Taa’la an excellent example for him who hopes in Allah Taa’la and the Last Day and who remembers Allah Taa’la much.” (Holy Qur’an: 33:21). In this verse Allah Taa’la instructs Muslims to follow the Holy Prophet, Hadhrat Muhammad-ur Rasullullaah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) who was an embodiment of the great values and manners of the Holy Qur’an.

He gave the best example for mankind in the human history. Unfortunately, many men think that housework is beneath them, and some of them think that it will undermine their status and position if they help their wives with this work. But, this was definitely not the case of our beloved Holy Prophet, Hadhrat Muhammad-ur Rasullullaah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) as Hadhrat Al-Aswad (Radi Allah Anho) says that I asked Hadhrat Aisha (Radi Allah Anha) what the Holy Prophet, Hadhrat Muhammad-ur Rasullullaah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) did at home.

She (Radi Allah Anha) replied. “He used to keep Himself busy serving His family and when it was time for the prayer, He would get up for prayer.” (Al-Bukhaari).

In another Hadith it is mentioned that the Holy Prophet, Hadhrat Muhammad-ur Rasullullaah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to mend His own shoes, sew His own clothes and work in His house just as one of you would work. He acted like a common man; He patched His own clothes, milked His own goats and engaged Himself in routine work. (Al- Tirmidhi)

Let’s follow the great ways of our beloved Prophet, Hadhrat Muhammad-ur Rasullullaah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) and help each other around the house.