Spending Time Only Working

Praise be to Allah.

Firstly: 

The basic Islamic principle with regard to the relationship between the spouses is that it should be based on each treating the other with kindness, because Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Live with them in accordance with what is fair and kind”

[an-Nisa 4:19]. 

“So each spouse must treat the other with kindness and good companionship, refraining from harm or annoyance, not withholding rights when able to fulfil them and not showing resentment when doing so; rather he or she should do that cheerfully and willingly, and not follow it up with reminders of the favour given or annoyance, because this is part of the kind treatment that is enjoined.

End quote from al-Mawsoo‘ah al-Fiqhiyyah, 41/310 

Secondly: 

Part of fair and kind treatment is for the husband to spend some of his time, money and efforts on what his wife and children need to take care of them and look after them and check on them. This does not have a specific limit; rather it varies according to differences between people and their circumstances. The general guideline is that he should look after them with regard to that which Allah has enjoined upon him of caring for them, looking after them and maintaining them. 

If the husband has obtained what is sufficient for him and his dependents of provisions and maintenance, then what is required of him is that his pursuit of further wealth and provisions should only come after he has fulfilled his duties towards his wife and children. 

Al-Bukhari (1975) and Muslim (1159) narrated that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘As (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said to me: “Your body has a right over you, your eyes have a right over you, your wife has a right over you and your guests have a right over you.” 

At-Tirmidhi (3895) narrated from ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The best of you is the best of you to his family, and I am the best of you to my family.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albani in Saheeh al-Jami‘, 5625 

As-Sindi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 

What is meant is that good treatment of one’s family is among the things that are required in Islam; the one who attains this characteristic is among the best in this regard. And it may be that the one who attains it is superior in other righteous deeds too so that he becomes the best in general terms. 

End quote from Hashiyat as-Sindi ‘ala Sunan Ibn Majah, 1/609 

But our advice to you is to be patient with your husband and to take it easy with him and be a help to him, not against him. Make him aware of your and your children’s need for him, and let him know that that is more important and is better in your opinion than extra wealth and a life of luxury. And we ask Allah to create lasting harmony between you. 

Ash-Shaykh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked: 

There are some young men – may Allah guide them – who are committed to Islam but they do not treat their wives with kindness; they spend all their time doing many things that have to do with study and work, whilst leaving their wives on their own or with the children in the house for long hours on the grounds that they have work and study. What do you say about that; should study and work be at the expense of the wife’s share of the husband’s time? 

He replied: 

There is no doubt that it is obligatory for husbands to treat their wives with kindness, because Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Live with them in accordance with what is fair and kind”

[an-Nisa 4:19] 

“And they (women) have rights (over their husbands as regards living expenses, etc.) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and respect, etc.) to what is reasonable, but men have a degree (of responsibility) over them. And Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise”

[al-Baqarah 2:228]. 

So what is prescribed for young men and others is to treat their wives with kindness, show compassion towards them and keep company with them according to what they are able to do; if it is possible for them to do some of their studying and work at home, then that is better so that they may spend some time in the company of their wives and children. 

Whatever the case, what is prescribed is for the husband to devote some of his time to his wife so as to keep her company and show her kindness, especially if she is on her own in the house with no one else but her children or  no one else at all. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The most perfect of the believers in faith are those who are best in attitude, and the best of you are those who are best to their womenfolk.” And what is prescribed for the wife is to help her husband in his study and work and to be patient in putting up with unavoidable shortcomings that may occur, so as to achieve cooperation between them, acting in accordance with the words of Allah (interpretation of the meaning):

“”Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety)

[al-Maidah 5:3]

and in accordance with the general meaning of the words of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) “Whoever meets the needs of his brother, Allah will meet his needs.” Saheeh – agreed upon. 

End quote from Fatawa Islamiyyah, 3/289 

For more information please see the answer to question no. 6913 

And Allah knows best.