A Comparative Study related to Husband's Permission for his Wife to Go out for Work in Shia and Sunni jurisprudents' Views

Women's employment has become increasingly unavoidable in today's world. However, it is impermissible for a wife to go out for work except with her husband's permission, otherwise it can be considered as her disobedience or her refusal to fulfil her marital duties "NASHUZ''. Concerning the wife's permission restriction to get out of the house, a group of Islamic jurists believes in the absolute necessity of receiving such permission from the male spouse while another group argues that it is permissible for the female spouse to go out unless it contradicts with her "absolute sexual submission". After all, the female spouse can get out of the house and work if needed. All Islamic religious parties are in consensus that if the female spouse employment - whether at home or away - is in full contradiction with the absolute right of male spouse regarding wife's sexual submission, it basically needs the consent of the male spouse in this respect. Shia and Sunni jurists share the same view that female spouse employment should not be conflicted with the interests of the family, nor with the dignity of both spouses, nor with the duty of parenting and strengthening the family. Having responsibility for providing care and support for the family, the male spouse can monitor and manage his wife's commute. Furthermore, according to the principle of free will, the female spouse can take possession of her properties while her husband has no right to interfere in her personal affairs, although the consent of her husband is considered to be a virtue. The employment option and the permission to get out of the house, as the condition of marriage, can be included in the prenuptial agreement or marriage contract by the female spouse.