Question: Is it obligatory upon the wife to serve her husband in the
customary matters like preparing the food and straightening up the
house and so forth?
Answer: Shaikh ul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah said: “The scholars have
disputed as to whether it is upon her to serve him in the likes of
the bedding of the home, and bringing the food, the drink and the
bread and the crackers, and preparing food for his servants and his
livestock animals, like giving fodder to his riding animal and so
forth. So from among them there are those who said, “It is not
obligatory for her to serve him,” and this opinion is weak. Just
like the weakness of the statement of the one who says, “It is not
obligatory as a part of his living with her (his wife) that he has
sex with her.” For verily this is not him living with her in a good
way. Rather, the companion on the journey who is the associate of
the person and his companion in living quarters, if he does not
assist him in that which is beneficial then he has not accompanied
him in a good manner. And it has also been said - and this is what
is correct - that it is obligatory for her to serve him. For verily
the husband is her Sayyid (master or leader) in the Book of Allaah
(i.e. according to the Qur’aan), and she is his helper with him
according to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah
(sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). And it is obligatory upon the
helper and the slave to serve (their master or leader), because that
is goodness. Then from among these scholars are those who
said, “Easy service to him is obligatory upon her (i.e. in light
matters).” And from among them there are those who said, “It is
obligatory for her to serve him in that which is good.” And this is
what is correct (i.e. this last opinion). Thus, it is obligatory
upon her to serve him in the good service that is customary from the
likes of her for the likes of him. And this varies with the various
situations. Thus, the service of the bedouin woman is not like the
service of the city woman, and the service of the strong woman is
not like the service of the weak woman.”
From assalafi.com
