Navigating Qiwamah: insight into work-family interactions among Muslim women in Malaysia

Ghalia, Bouhedda and Subhani, Zulqernain Haider (2025) Navigating Qiwamah: insight into work-family interactions among Muslim women in Malaysia. In: Contemporary Issues in Islamic Law and Social Practices: Gender Roles, Legal Perspectives and Family Dynamics. Contemporary Fiqh Research Unit (CFRU), IIUM and Islamic Book Trust, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, pp. 141-163.

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Abstract

Qiwamah, a foundational principle in Islamic discourse, has garnered significant attention for its role in the financial and institutional management of family life within Muslim communities. The principle of Qiwamah does not merely relate to the husband’s responsibility of providing maintenance; instead, it is a broad concept that provides a systematic and proper mechanism for family institutions, encompassing the husband’s responsibilities in maintenance, well-being, safety, and the and the moral and spiritual development of the wife and family members. However, it also entails the wife’s obedience and subordination to her husband. Qiwamah has special effects on maintenance anddivorce in the context of family. However, in the contemporary landscape, where work and family spheres are distinctly segregated, a critical examination of Qiwamah’s relevance and application to the work-family interface of Muslim women becomes imperative. This study adopts a content analysis method to systematically explore the multifaceted implications of Qiwamah on the workfamily dynamics of Muslim women in Malaysia. Central to this exploration is the issue of work-family segregation, broadly associated with the notion of Qiwamah. The research delves into the issue of work-family segregation in the context of Qiwamah. In the context of Muslim women’s work-family interface, the study also explores the issue of men’s dominance over women and the potential for women to become supervisors or in charge of men at the workplace, with a particular focus on how modern societies are redefining these traditional roles and responsibilities. Through this comprehensive analysis, the study aims to offer insightful perspectives on the intersectionality of Islamic principles, gender roles, and the evolving demands of work and family life. It seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of how Muslim women navigate their professional and personal spheres within the framework of Qiwamah, shedding light on the potential for reinterpreting traditional roles in the context of contemporary societal norms and expectations.

Item Type:	Book Chapter
Additional Information:	4155/125588
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Qiwamah, Work-Family, Muslim Women, Malaysia
Subjects:	BPK Islamic law. Shari'ah. Fiqh H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman > HQ503 The family. Marriage. Home
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences
Depositing User:	Assoc. Pro Bouhedda Ghalia
Date Deposited:	13 Dec 2025 22:34
Last Modified:	13 Dec 2025 22:35
Queue Number:	2025-12-Q779
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/125588

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