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Fatwa CenterHasten to Embrace Islam and Become an Ideal Wife
Question
A woman wants to convert to islam but does not know what madhab to choose. She found out that the shafii madhab says that a woman does not have to serve her husband by baking, cooking, washing etc. because the marriage contract entails only that she let him enjoy her sexually, and she is not obligated to do other than that. Does that count only for shafii madhab? What if she chooses the shafii madhab and her husband asks her to do these things? Must she comply?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
The women in this given situation should promptly embrace Islam, striving to save herself from disbelief, and racing against death, which may come at any moment. Thus, she should not delay entering the true religion of Allah because of secondary issues, as these matters are easy to resolve. Once she becomes a Muslim, it is her duty, as a lay Muslim, to ask trustworthy scholars about any issues she finds confusing and to follow their guidance, in accordance with the verse: {So ask the people of the message if you do not know.} [Quran 16 :43]
Furthermore, there is no harm if she chooses to follow the opinion of scholars who do not consider it obligatory for a wife to serve her husband, and she would not be sinful for refusing such service if she follows that view. However, marital life is meant to be based on kindness and mutual respect. Just as a husband often provides beyond what is obligatory, such as in spending, so too should the wife be generous in her character and not limit her contributions to only what is obligatory.
Lastly, the view that a woman is not required to serve her husband is not limited to the Shafi’i school of jurisprudence but is also shared by the majority of scholars. Nonetheless, this kind of service is part of fairness in which spouses should treat one another, as Islamic marriage is built on mercy, kindness, and mutual giving.
Allah knows best.
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