Stereotypes

In many Islamic communities, what really goes to the woman within the family nucleus is highly ignored especially in communities like Bengali, Indian and Pakistani communities both from the behavioral point of view and the way the ladies should be treated and approached.

For example, in the Asian communities, it is often believed that once married, the lady becomes property of her husband and, therefore, she can not visit her parents or relatives and it is her who is entitled to take care of her in-law parents.

Taking into consideration the idea of ​​the female figure designated by the Sharī'ah, it is clearly noted that it does not impose, affirm or even encourage the idea that the wife is the property of her husband and therefore she can not visit her family; rather, she has the right to visit her family at least once a week if they live in the neighborhood where she is located. Her husband has no right to stop her. The marriage bond is an alliance between two individuals of opposite sexes , such alliance does not break the bond that binds one to his/her family. If, on the other hand, they live distant, she would still have the right to visit them and her spouse is bound to allow her to do so.

Parents are an irreplaceable divine goods and favor, just as the family is. The Holy Qur'ān orders the Muslim to behave with his parents according to canons and criteria of respect and honor; Islām metaphorically compares the Verdict of Paradise for the children to the maternal feet; the feet are the lowest part one's body, the metaphor is to express the respect that the mother's figure deserves from their children.

Another of the Asian stereotypes is that the wife is required to take care of the parents of her spouse; this concept under the criteria of dutifulness finds no expression in Sharī'ah.

On the contrary, it (indirectly) states that it is not for the wife to care for his parents, rather it is the latter's duty to care of his own parents in the light of the Qur'ān and the wife should take care of hers, and that's why it is her right and duty to visit her family. However, if she wanted to take care of her in-laws as seniors, she is free to do so as a personal choice and as a favor; she will be rewarded by Allāh the Compassionate.

Thus, it is also believed that the woman is required to cook and have her husband find ready meals on the table, Sharī'ah, however, supports the exact opposite: it is not a duty upon the wife to cook at home.

This is why the Messenger of Allāh (peace be upon him) helped his wives in household chores.

However, she can make ready meals on the table as a choice and a favor towards her husband who comes home tired from work.

N.B .: Quite often husbands (especially within the Asian communities) objects about the culinary skills their wives, criticizing the dishes, a criticism that lead to quarrels. The husband, say the Islamic theologians, should keep in mind that it was not her (his wife's) duty to cook in first place; and then, spending hours in the kitchen in front of the stoves is not an easy task, especially Indian dishes which are of hard preparation, therefore, he has no right to criticize the dishes prepared; however, if he wanted to give useful advices, it should be done with grace and kindness.