her or keep her from an obligatory duty; she must therefore make herself available to him.

Likewise, she must not leave his home except with his permission or that of the Lawgiver, for she is an āniya (captive) in his keeping; al-ānī means “a captive.”

If she asks his permission to go out for prayer, he should not prevent her, provided that doing so entails no harm. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Do not prevent the female servants of Allah from the mosques of Allah, though their homes are better for them.” (1) Nor should he prevent her from visiting (2) the sick among her family or offering them condolences.

Is he entitled to her physical labor in the form of domestic service, such as laying out the bedding, sweeping, cooking, and the like? The jurists differed on this matter. Some held that it is obligatory for her, while others held that it is not. Yet others held that only light service is obligatory, as dictated by customary practice, which varies according to people’s habits.