Dividing Responsibilities in Family
In patriarchy, management of everything is given to men which is detrimental to women, and in feminism, the family is run by women, which is detrimental for men. Another possibility is that both man and woman manage the family simultaneously, which would create problems and tensions.
The fourth model, which is advocated by Islam, is one in which man is responsible for the affairs outside of home and woman takes responsibility for running the domestic affairs. This is seen in the Seerah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) as well as in the life of Imam Ali (AS) and Hazrat Zahra (SA).
Laws are enacted in general not for exceptional cases and the Quran is the constitution for Muslims and they must obey it.
In the Quran, Verse 34 of Surah An-Nisa is about dividing responsibilities between man and woman in the family:
“Men are the maintainers of women for that Allah has preferred in bounty one of them over another, and for that they have spent of their wealth. Righteous women are obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah has guarded. Those from whom you fear rebelliousness, admonish them and desert them in the bed and leave them. Then, if they obey you, do not look for any way against them. Allah is High, Great.”
Some have said “maintainers of women” in this verse means that women rely on men and they like to have someone to rely on. This is in their nature.
The author of Nemuneh Exegesis of the Quran believes that men are at the service of women as they should both provide their livelihood and protect them and the family.
Man and woman are complementary to one another. One is more powerful physically and is responsible for providing costs of living, defending the family, etc, while the other has more emotional powers and is tasked with raising the children.
So emphasizing the joint management of the family by man and woman is a endorsed by the Quran.
