Quran
Hadith
Islamic Text
Yes, the Prophet ﷺ used to help in the house (domestic duties). There are numerous authentic Hadith narrations establishing this fact.
سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ مَا كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَصْنَعُ فِي بَيْتِهِ؟ قَالَتْ: كَانَ يَكُونُ فِي مِهْنَةِ أَهْلِهِ – تَعْنِي خِدْمَةَ أَهْلِهِ – فَإِذَا حَضَرَتِ الصَّلاَةُ خَرَجَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ
(Sayidah) Ayeshah (May Allah Most High be pleased with her) was asked, what did the Prophet used to do in his house? She (May Allah Most High be pleased with her) said, ‘He ﷺ was in the service of his family. And when the time for prayer arrived, he ﷺ went to prayer.’ (Sahih al-Bukhari 676).
This Hadith is repeated in Sahih al-Bukhari numerous times (6039, 5363). It is also in Tirmidhi (2489). There is no doubt regarding the authenticity of the Hadith. Since all Musnad Hadith in Bukhari and Muslim are Sahih.
The Hadith above is explicit with regards to the fact that the Holy Prophet ﷺ used to help out in the house. Meaning help with domestic duties or chores. He ﷺ used to do this despite the fact that he was the busiest of people, with the greatest responsibilities. Therefore, it is recommended for Muslim men to assist in the house. Being busy is not a valid excuse to neglect this Sunnah.
وَعَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ: سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ عَائِشَةَ: هَلْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَعْمَلُ فِي بَيْتِهِ شَيْئًا؟ قَالَتْ: نَعَمْ، كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَخْصِفُ نَعْلَهُ، وَيَخِيطُ ثَوْبَهُ، وَيَعْمَلُ فِي بَيْتِهِ كَمَا يَعْمَلُ أَحَدُكُمْ فِي بَيْتِهِ
(Sayidah) Ayeshah (May Allah Most High be pleased with her) was asked, did the Prophet ﷺ used to carry out any work in his house? She (May Allah Most High be pleased with her) said, ‘Yes, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to mend his sandal, patch his garment and work in his house, just like anyone of you works in his house.’ (Musnad Ahmad 25341, Sahih).
The Hadith above has also been narrated by Imam al-Bukhari in al-Adab al Mufrad (530), Ibn Hibban (5676) and others. The narration in Ahmad has authentic narrators.
أخرجه أَحْمد من حَدِيث عَائِشَة: كَانَ يخصف نَعله ويخيط ثَوْبه وَيعْمل فِي بَيته كَمَا يعْمل أحدكُم فِي بَيته. وَرِجَاله رجال الصَّحِيح. (المغني عن حمل الأسفار في الأسفار)
(Imam) Ahmad narrated it from the Hadith of (Sayidah) Ayeshah (May Allah Most High be pleased with her): He ﷺ used to mend his sandal, patch his garment and work in his house, just like anyone of you work in his house. The narrators are the narrators of Sahih. (Imam Zayn al-Deen al-Iraqi, Takhreej Ihyaa).
Although the obligation of the man generally lies outside of the house, meaning he has to work to provide for his family. It is also recommended to help in the house with domestic chores where possible. It is important to recognise that this is the best practice even if a person falls short regarding it. Since the Sunnah of our Prophet ﷺ is always superior.
And Allah Most High Knows Best.
-Answered by Shaykh Noorud-deen Rashid (22.08.2022)
See also:
Woman Taking the Surname of Her Husband
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