Comments on: To housewife or not to housewife, that is the question http://blog.sunnipath.com/2008/07/21/to-housewife-or-not-to-housewife-that-is-the-question/ Thoughts from the Staff of the Online Islamic Academy Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:00:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Abdullah http://blog.sunnipath.com/2008/07/21/to-housewife-or-not-to-housewife-that-is-the-question/#comment-15844 Abdullah Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:28:43 +0000 http://blog.sunnipath.com/2008/07/21/to-housewife-or-not-to-housewife-that-is-the-question/#comment-15844 Assalamu Alaikum, I think this term also depends on race. If a woman is white and lives in the suburbs, she'll be perceived as "privileged". But if she is black, she'll probably be stereotyped. Assalamu Alaikum,

I think this term also depends on race. If a woman is white and lives in the suburbs, she’ll be perceived as “privileged”. But if she is black, she’ll probably be stereotyped.

]]> By: Umar Kovacik http://blog.sunnipath.com/2008/07/21/to-housewife-or-not-to-housewife-that-is-the-question/#comment-15646 Umar Kovacik Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:19:38 +0000 http://blog.sunnipath.com/2008/07/21/to-housewife-or-not-to-housewife-that-is-the-question/#comment-15646 I think that ‘housewife’ can be interpreted in many different ways. Speakers of various English dialects such as a middle class person from London, a farmer from Alabama, and a bilingual Spanish speaker from Los Angeles might all have a different take on what ‘housewife’ means to them. I do not think there is anything inherently degrading about this term, but the people who use ‘housewife’ negatively and have a negative view towards women who stay at home are not likely to change their attitudes just because a more politically correct term is being used. I think that the use of these terms goes back to the intention of the person saying them and the general impression that most people would have since they have the potential to be used either respectfully or negatively. I think that ‘housewife’ can be interpreted in many different ways. Speakers of various English dialects such as a middle class person from London, a farmer from Alabama, and a bilingual Spanish speaker from Los Angeles might all have a different take on what ‘housewife’ means to them. I do not think there is anything inherently degrading about this term, but the people who use ‘housewife’ negatively and have a negative view towards women who stay at home are not likely to change their attitudes just because a more politically correct term is being used. I think that the use of these terms goes back to the intention of the person saying them and the general impression that most people would have since they have the potential to be used either respectfully or negatively.

]]> By: Summayah http://blog.sunnipath.com/2008/07/21/to-housewife-or-not-to-housewife-that-is-the-question/#comment-15641 Summayah Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:58:15 +0000 http://blog.sunnipath.com/2008/07/21/to-housewife-or-not-to-housewife-that-is-the-question/#comment-15641 What is interesting to me, is that in my local community we are told that women should not work. I am a current graduate student and planning on inshaAllah to be a prof if possible. Though I think being a homemaker is very honorable and I admire my friends who are in this role, I myself also want to teach. Being told by the community that this isn't Islamic (without backing it up with Qur'an or hadeeth, mind you) can be discouraging... What is interesting to me, is that in my local community we are told that women should not work. I am a current graduate student and planning on inshaAllah to be a prof if possible. Though I think being a homemaker is very honorable and I admire my friends who are in this role, I myself also want to teach. Being told by the community that this isn’t Islamic (without backing it up with Qur’an or hadeeth, mind you) can be discouraging…

]]> By: Amna Ahmed http://blog.sunnipath.com/2008/07/21/to-housewife-or-not-to-housewife-that-is-the-question/#comment-15630 Amna Ahmed Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:29:39 +0000 http://blog.sunnipath.com/2008/07/21/to-housewife-or-not-to-housewife-that-is-the-question/#comment-15630 Salam, Alhamdullilah, Sheikh Abdul-Kareem Yahya remindeds of something very important...May Allah raise the ranks of the "homemakers" in the Hereafter. Ameen. Salam,

Alhamdullilah, Sheikh Abdul-Kareem Yahya remindeds of something very important…May Allah raise the ranks of the “homemakers” in the Hereafter. Ameen.

]]> By: abdulkarim http://blog.sunnipath.com/2008/07/21/to-housewife-or-not-to-housewife-that-is-the-question/#comment-15601 abdulkarim Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:35:01 +0000 http://blog.sunnipath.com/2008/07/21/to-housewife-or-not-to-housewife-that-is-the-question/#comment-15601 As-salamu alaykum, We like the term "boss" as well. However the point sister Fadwa made is what we have heard from our teachers. Namely, why is rearing a believing child, with a heart capable of knowing Allah like no other creature can, less valuable than participating in the work force in an industrial age that has ruined the environment? Even if she were not to have children, why is maintaining the space in which believers pray, recite Quran, make dhikr, take shelter, eat, drink and dress such that they can worship Allah in safety and good health unimportant? When we see the stations in the hereafter of ladies who have done this for Allah during these few days in this dunya, many of us with other occupations will envy them. As-salamu alaykum,

We like the term “boss” as well. However the point sister Fadwa made is what we have heard from our teachers. Namely, why is rearing a believing child, with a heart capable of knowing Allah like no other creature can, less valuable than participating in the work force in an industrial age that has ruined the environment?

Even if she were not to have children, why is maintaining the space in which believers pray, recite Quran, make dhikr, take shelter, eat, drink and dress such that they can worship Allah in safety and good health unimportant?

When we see the stations in the hereafter of ladies who have done this for Allah during these few days in this dunya, many of us with other occupations will envy them.

]]> By: dhaakir http://blog.sunnipath.com/2008/07/21/to-housewife-or-not-to-housewife-that-is-the-question/#comment-15587 dhaakir Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:47:31 +0000 http://blog.sunnipath.com/2008/07/21/to-housewife-or-not-to-housewife-that-is-the-question/#comment-15587 as the sister has replied its out view of the word house-wife has become negative, not the job itself. so in my view in an islamic sese this isnot a negative word its a negative word to the rest of the world,as as most of us on here are from the rest of the world (ie not muslim world) then were caught up with this negative image of the word as the sister has replied its out view of the word house-wife has become negative, not the job itself. so in my view in an islamic sese this isnot a negative word its a negative word to the rest of the world,as as most of us on here are from the rest of the world (ie not muslim world) then were caught up with this negative image of the word

]]> By: abdul latif al-amin http://blog.sunnipath.com/2008/07/21/to-housewife-or-not-to-housewife-that-is-the-question/#comment-15584 abdul latif al-amin Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:39:39 +0000 http://blog.sunnipath.com/2008/07/21/to-housewife-or-not-to-housewife-that-is-the-question/#comment-15584 as sallamu alaikum inshaa Allah this reaches all in the best of states May Allah give you good in this life and the next. I think many have lost sight of the great honor and respect due our mothers. The name shouldn't be the focus look at what many of our wives are doing. I for one could never keep everything together my wife does. Very rarely does my wife leave me at home with all the kids its to much for me to handle (7 kids).Our wives should have a sense of pride to stay home and raise her children regardless which name one uses as sallamu alaikum

inshaa Allah this reaches all in the best of states

May Allah give you good in this life and the next.

I think many have lost sight of the great honor and respect due our mothers. The name shouldn’t be the focus look at what many of our wives are doing. I for one could never keep everything together my wife does. Very rarely does my wife leave me at home with all the kids its to much for me to handle (7 kids).Our wives should have a sense of pride to stay home and raise her children regardless which name one uses

]]> By: Saja http://blog.sunnipath.com/2008/07/21/to-housewife-or-not-to-housewife-that-is-the-question/#comment-15583 Saja Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:09:08 +0000 http://blog.sunnipath.com/2008/07/21/to-housewife-or-not-to-housewife-that-is-the-question/#comment-15583 Ok i was forced to post today so here we go. I totally agree with Br Qays. As the shift in peoples values in the world are an ongoing change and whatever we choose to use will 'slowly but surely' have the same negative connotation as 'housewife'. What ever word we choose to use doesn't matter its the way we define or understand the meaning behind it. Ok i was forced to post today so here we go.

I totally agree with Br Qays. As the shift in peoples values in the world are an ongoing change and whatever we choose to use will ’slowly but surely’ have the same negative connotation as ‘housewife’.

What ever word we choose to use doesn’t matter its the way we define or understand the meaning behind it.

]]> By: Sawsan http://blog.sunnipath.com/2008/07/21/to-housewife-or-not-to-housewife-that-is-the-question/#comment-15581 Sawsan Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:59:58 +0000 http://blog.sunnipath.com/2008/07/21/to-housewife-or-not-to-housewife-that-is-the-question/#comment-15581 I find the term "House wife" very honorable, though I admit it wasn't how I felt about it in the past. I find doing my job here at SP easier than maintaining a house, and I admire all these selfless women who wake up every day to put their families first. In Egypt, where I come from, being a House Wife is regarded with utmost respect and sometimes envy. At the end of the day, the house wife is indeed the boss, who can claim they don't enjoy "bossing"! :) I find the term “House wife” very honorable, though I admit it wasn’t how I felt about it in the past.
I find doing my job here at SP easier than maintaining a house, and I admire all these selfless women who wake up every day to put their families first.
In Egypt, where I come from, being a House Wife is regarded with utmost respect and sometimes envy. At the end of the day, the house wife is indeed the boss, who can claim they don’t enjoy “bossing”! :)

]]> By: A reader http://blog.sunnipath.com/2008/07/21/to-housewife-or-not-to-housewife-that-is-the-question/#comment-15580 A reader Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:30:13 +0000 http://blog.sunnipath.com/2008/07/21/to-housewife-or-not-to-housewife-that-is-the-question/#comment-15580 @Imran -- I agree "Boss" maybe the best title. Referring to women as such only reinforces the fact that their place is home and they rule that place. @Imran — I agree “Boss” maybe the best title. Referring to women as such only reinforces the fact that their place is home and they rule that place.

]]>