🏡 Rights & responsibilities · #349

My spouse is so absorbed in work that the family is neglected. How do I bring it up?

Express how much you miss them as an invitation, not an accusation, so that your spouse does not keep getting defensive. Instead of saying they do not care about the family, share your feelings: ‘We miss our time together; could we set aside one evening a week for the family?’ Acknowledge their effort to earn a living, then explain the effect their absence has on the children and on you. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best of you to my family” (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3895); true success includes the home, not work alone. Suggest practical boundaries, such as not bringing work to the dinner table. If the busyness is forced by finances, plan a solution together. See communication & emotions.

Sources

Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3895 (sahih)

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This answer is general reference, not a fatwa. For your situation, consult the religious affairs office, a Syarie lawyer or your state Syariah Court.

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