Which is better, seeking knowledge or taking care of the house?

[bamalli]

Which is better, seeking knowledge or taking care of the house?

Question:
Which is better for a Muslim woman, taking care of her house and husband, or devoting her time to seeking knowledge, and bringing a servant to take care of the house?

Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.   

Yes, it is obligatory for a Muslim woman to strive to understand her religion as much as possible, but serving her husband, obeying her husband and raising her children are also important obligations.

She should make time to learn every day, even if it is only a little. Or she should put aside some time for reading and then the rest of her time will be for her daily work. In this way she will not be neglecting learning and she will not be neglecting her work and children and leaving them to a servant to look after.

Seeking balance in this matter, by setting aside time for learning, even if it is a little, and time for her housework, will be sufficient for her.



Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan in al-Fataawa al-Jaami'ah li'l-Mar'ah al-Muslimah, part 3, p. 1085