How to deal with an unemployed husband and help him get back to work

In our modern world, working from home has become not just an option but a lifestyle choice for many, allowing individuals to strike a balance between personal and professional life. This is especially true for men who wish to earn their livelihood without the need to commute or adhere to fixed working hours. Today, there are numerous opportunities available that can help achieve a steady income from home., we explore a variety of ideas and opportunities that allow men to work remotely, highlighting the skills required for each field. If you're considering transitioning to remote work or looking for an additional source of income that fits your lifestyle, this article is your comprehensive guide to achieving that goal!

Is it permissible to request a divorce from a husband who is unemployed?

Rights and Duties in Marriage In marriage, the husband is typically considered the primary provider for the family, provided that he is capable of working. If the husband is unemployed and does not make a sincere effort to find a job or provide a source of income for the family, this can place a significant burden on the wife, especially if she is carrying the financial weight.

The wife is not obligated to bear the family's expenses if the husband is capable of working. In cases of illness or total disability, she may provide financial support with her consent, but in other circumstances, it is unfair for the wife to bear the financial burden alone.

Requesting Divorce Due to Irresponsibility If the wife feels that her husband is not making an effort to improve his financial situation or has been unemployed for an extended period, the marital relationship may become unbalanced. This can also negatively affect the emotional stability between the spouses. In this case, the wife may seek a divorce if she feels that the situation has become untenable.

Islam does not stipulate that divorce must be related to unemployment alone; it can also be due to the psychological or social harm caused by the husband's unemployment.

Damage and Disruption in Married Life It is important to consider the damage caused by unemployment. If the unemployed husband creates financial pressure on the wife or causes negative psychological effects on her life, this can be seen as a legitimate reason for divorce. In Islamic law, psychological or social harm can be considered as grounds for divorce.
Attempting to Solve the Issue First Before making a decision about divorce, it is always preferable to attempt to resolve the issue. The husband may need emotional support or counseling to help improve his professional situation. It is important for the wife to balance her desire for a stable life with her wish to assist her husband in improving his situation.
Divorce Due to Financial Problems Some argue that seeking divorce for financial reasons may not be a legitimate reason if the husband cannot provide enough income, but if the husband insists on remaining unemployed or fails to improve his situation, divorce may become a viable option if it causes psychological or social harm to the wife.
Civil Law in Some Countries In some countries that follow civil laws or family laws that recognize the equal rights of spouses, the wife may have the right to request a divorce if the husband fails to fulfill his responsibilities within the family, whether due to unemployment or issues within the marital relationship.
Alternatives to Divorce Before making the decision to divorce, the wife can consider alternative solutions, such as seeking ways to improve the financial situation or consulting family or psychological counselors to help resolve the issue. Divorce should be considered the last resort after long attempts to solve the problem.

Types of Men Who Do Not Like to Work

Men who avoid work can be classified into different types based on the reasons they avoid employment or fail to seek financial independence. It is important to understand that these types may stem from various factors such as upbringing, psychological conditions, or social circumstances. Here are the main types with a simple explanation:

The Lazy Husband
- Traits: Prefers staying at home and avoids any activities that could improve his financial situation. Always comes up with excuses to avoid looking for a job.
- Possible Causes: Could be the result of excessive pampering during upbringing or past failures in professional experiences.
The Husband Dependent on His Wife
- Traits: Fully depends on the wife for providing for the family and does not feel the need to work. Justifies his lack of effort by saying, "I don't need to work because my wife can provide everything."
- Possible Causes: Weak personality and inability to take responsibility, or upbringing that made him rely on others.
The Husband Lacking Purpose
- Traits: Has a desire to work but lacks motivation or a clear goal. Moves from temporary jobs or remains unemployed for long periods.
- Possible Causes: Loss of inspiration, feeling lost in his career path, or failure to discover his professional goal.
The Husband Who Fears Failure
- Traits: Avoids work out of fear of failure. May have big ambitions but is afraid to pursue them due to past experiences with failure.
- Possible Causes: Lack of self-confidence or past failures that discourage him from trying again.
The Underqualified Husband
- Traits: Lacks the skills or education needed to qualify for certain jobs. Feels frustrated by the difficulty of finding a suitable job opportunity.
- Possible Causes: Lack of education or marketable skills, making it hard for him to adapt to available job opportunities.
The Comfort-Seeking Husband
- Traits: Prefers staying at home or engaging in activities that don't require much effort. Believes comfort is more important than pursuing work.
- Possible Causes: A personality inclined toward comfort, with little desire to bear responsibilities or deal with the pressures of work.
The Husband with Psychological Issues
- Traits: May suffer from depression or anxiety, which makes it difficult for him to motivate himself to work. Avoids work due to negative psychological feelings that affect his ability to perform.
- Possible Causes: Psychological struggles such as depression or anxiety that impact his daily life and his ability to engage in work.
The Rebellious Husband
- Traits: Refuses to work as an act of rebellion against social or economic systems. May reject traditional jobs or see them as inconsistent with his personal values.
- Possible Causes: Revolutionary ideas or rejection of the capitalist system or societal norms associated with traditional work.
The Husband Escaping Pressure
- Traits: Views work as a major source of stress in his life. Avoids working to escape the tension and pressure he believes comes with professional responsibilities.
- Possible Causes: Past experiences have made him associate work with negative feelings or psychological stress.
The Husband Seeking Early Retirement

Traits: Aspires to financial independence and early retirement. Believes that work is unnecessary if he can achieve financial comfort quickly.
Possible Causes: Ambition for early retirement or the desire for financial independence, leading him to distance himself from traditional jobs.

A husband who does not work can cause many problems that negatively affect the family and the marital relationship. These issues can be financial, emotional, social, and health-related. Here’s a simplified explanation of the major problems caused by a husband who doesn’t work:

Financial Pressure
- Increased financial burden on the wife: When the husband has no steady income, the wife becomes responsible for providing for the family’s needs. This increases her pressure, especially if she has to work longer hours to cover the expenses.
- Failure to meet financial obligations: If the husband is unable to meet obligations such as paying bills or repaying debts, it can disrupt the family’s financial stability, which affects their overall life.
Lack of Emotional and Psychological Stability
- Wife’s frustration and stress: The wife may feel frustrated from carrying all the financial and emotional burdens alone. This stress can affect the stability of the relationship and cause feelings of isolation.
- Embarrassment: A husband who doesn’t work may feel embarrassed due to his inability to provide for the family. This can impact his self-esteem and increase feelings of guilt.
Decline in the Marital Relationship
- Constant disagreements about money: Money is one of the major sources of conflict between spouses. The wife may feel angry because the husband is not contributing financially, while the husband might feel frustrated or insulted by the constant criticism.
- Loss of mutual respect: If the husband remains unemployed for an extended period, the wife may begin to lose respect for him. This leads to a deterioration of the relationship and a lack of emotional communication between the couple.
Impact on Children
- Failure to provide basic needs for children: If the husband does not work, it may be difficult to provide for the children’s basic needs, such as education and healthcare. This negatively affects the children's well-being.
- Distorted image of the father: Children may notice the absence of their father in providing for the family’s income, leading to a loss of respect for him or negative psychological effects like anxiety and frustration.
Negative Impact on the Husband’s Health
- Depression and isolation: A husband who doesn’t work may experience depression due to feelings of inadequacy and lack of purpose. He might become socially isolated, which affects his mental well-being.
- Laziness and lethargy: The lack of motivation to work can lead the husband to become sluggish in all aspects of life, affecting his physical and mental activity. This may cause him to fall into a state of stagnation.
Impact on Family’s Reputation
- Family interference: The husband may face pressure from his family or friends due to his lack of employment, which can tarnish the family’s reputation in the community.
- Social image impact: The family might find itself in an embarrassing situation when interacting with others due to the financial circumstances caused by the husband’s unemployment. This could lead to social isolation and a loss of relationships.
Anxiety About the Future
- Future pressures: The husband’s unemployment may create constant anxiety about the future, such as securing retirement or providing for the children’s education. This anxiety can affect the family’s stability and cause ongoing tension.
Lack of Personal Growth Motivation
- Wasted potential: When the husband is not working or does not seek opportunities to improve his situation, he may miss chances to develop himself and achieve his goals. This can impact his self-confidence and self-worth.
- Negative impact on self: A husband who is not working may feel that he is not progressing in life, which increases frustration and causes a loss of motivation to make any personal or professional progress.
Impact on the Relationship Balance
- Unbalanced role of the wife: When the husband doesn’t work, the wife is forced to take on two roles, both as a mother and father. This creates an imbalance in the relationship, making it difficult to manage household and personal matters equally between the couple.

Reasons for a Husband’s Unemployment

Unemployment may be due to a variety of reasons, ranging from psychological, economic, health, and social factors. Here’s a detailed explanation of the most common reasons for a husband’s lack of work:

Psychological and Emotional Issues
- Depression and anxiety: Depression and anxiety are common reasons why a husband may avoid work. These conditions affect his personal drive and ability to handle work-related stress, leading him to stay away from work or even refuse it.
- Emotional helplessness: Feeling of helplessness or failure in personal or family life can reflect on his ability to work. A husband might feel hopeless if his emotional or family life is filled with problems, making it hard to engage with work pressures.
Economic Conditions
- Lack of job opportunities: Sometimes, there may be few or unsuitable job opportunities for the husband, especially in times of economic recession or in areas with high unemployment rates.
- Inadequate income: A husband might decide not to work if the expected income from a job is insufficient to meet the family’s needs, or if he feels that the effort required in the job is not worth the financial return.
Health Factors
- Illness or disability: Health problems or chronic diseases that affect physical or mental capabilities are common reasons that hinder a husband from working.
- Physical and mental exhaustion: Some husbands may experience exhaustion due to previous work pressures or other life issues, leading them to desire an extended break from work.
Lack of Skills or Education
- Lack of educational or professional qualifications: A lack of the necessary skills or education might prevent the husband from obtaining a good or suitable job. He might feel incapable of competing in the job market due to the absence of required skills.
- Disruption from the job market: A husband who has been away from work for a long time, whether due to extended leave or a sudden break, may struggle to return to the job market due to changes in job requirements or the development of new work skills.
Family and Personal Pressures
- Family responsibilities: The husband might prefer staying at home to meet the family’s needs or take care of children, delaying or avoiding the search for a job.
- Family conflicts: Sometimes, the husband faces family or marital conflicts that impact his ability to focus on work. He may prefer staying at home to avoid these pressures.
Procrastination or Lack of Motivation
- Procrastination: The husband may delay taking the necessary steps to find a job due to procrastination or inability to make decisive actions.
- Lack of motivation and desire: When the husband lacks the motivation to pursue his personal or professional goals, he may remain in an unstable situation without taking steps to find new job opportunities.
Social and Cultural Issues
- Social concepts about work: In some societies, the husband may feel that his job does not reflect his social value or does not meet cultural expectations of a man’s role in the family.
- Family traditions and expectations: Some families may impose specific expectations on the husband regarding his role in providing for the family, which causes internal tension if he feels unable to meet these expectations.
Career Changes
- Job termination: Losing a job due to layoffs or the decline of the industry the husband was working in can lead to a state of professional instability, making it difficult to return to the workforce.
- Changing professional fields: The husband might face difficulties transitioning to a new career field or finding a job that suits his new skills or career aspirations.
Disappointment from Previous Jobs
- Bad previous experiences: If the husband has had negative experiences in previous jobs, such as a toxic work environment or lack of appreciation from bosses, he might become discouraged and avoid returning to work.
Influence of Surrounding Environment

Pressure from family or friends: In some cases, the husband might face pressure from family or friends who give him unhelpful advice about his work or career path.
Impact of media and society: The lifestyle promoted by the media may affect the husband’s way of thinking about work. This could push him to consider alternative options to traditional work or engage in non-conventional professional fields.

Dealing with a husband who is not working can be a significant challenge, but with the right understanding of the causes and patience, this phase can be overcome successfully. Here are some steps that can help you deal with your husband in these circumstances:

1. Understand the Reasons for the Husband's Unemployment

The first step in dealing with a husband who is not working is understanding the reasons behind it. Is it due to health, economic, social, or legal factors? Or perhaps personal reasons, like laziness or dependency on the wife? Knowing the cause will help you determine how to handle the issue effectively.

2. Patience and Support

If the husband is going through a tough time, such as losing a job or dealing with health issues, patience and understanding are crucial. In these situations, the wife should be supportive and give her husband the chance to get through this phase without increasing the gap or conflicts between them. Emotional and moral support can help the husband overcome the crisis and return to work sooner.

3. Help the Husband in Difficult Times

If the husband is struggling to find a job or facing financial pressures, the wife can assist by looking for job opportunities for him, providing advice, or even offering temporary financial support if necessary. Being there for him during challenging times reflects the support of a caring wife and her commitment to her family.

4. Motivate the Husband to Work

It is important for the wife to keep encouraging her husband to look for work. This can be done by motivating and encouraging him positively or gently assigning him responsibilities. If possible, she can also help him in job hunting, such as by using the internet or suggesting professional opportunities.

5. Remind the Husband of Household Needs

To reinforce the sense of responsibility in the husband, the wife can constantly remind him of the family's financial needs. She can explain how the financial situation is affecting the family and how his not working impacts the family’s stability. However, it’s essential to avoid excessive complaining, especially if the husband is genuinely making an effort to find a job.

6. Seek Help from Family If Needed

If the situation becomes difficult and you can't find a solution on your own, seeking help from the family may be beneficial. Either the husband’s family, your family, or close friends can apply pressure on him to find work or provide practical advice and possible opportunities.

7. Consider Separation if Laziness Persists

If the husband refuses to work entirely and relies on his wife or others without any genuine desire to change the situation, the wife might find herself in a tough spot. In this case, the only solution might be to consider separation. If the husband has refused to work and has not made efforts to improve the situation, the wife may resort to separation as a final solution, especially if the relationship becomes unbalanced and unhealthy.

Here are some ideas for remote work opportunities that can help men start a career path outside of traditional jobs, with a simple explanation for each idea:

E-Commerce
- Idea: You can create an online store to sell various products such as clothing, electronics, or handmade items.
- Tools: Platforms like Shopify and Etsy allow you to easily build your own store.
- Required Skills: Skills in digital marketing, business management, and supplier negotiation.
Freelance Writing
- Idea: Writing for websites, blogs, or even companies that need premium content.
- Tools: Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr provide freelance writing opportunities.
- Required Skills: Writing skills, SEO knowledge, and the ability to produce engaging content.
Online Tutoring
- Idea: Teach any skill or subject you are good at online, such as math, languages, or technical skills.
- Tools: Platforms like VIPKid and Preply allow you to tutor students online.
- Required Skills: Strong knowledge in the subject, good communication skills, and patience with students.
Web Development & Programming
- Idea: Work as a programmer or web designer to develop apps and websites for businesses or individuals.
- Tools: Platforms like GitHub and Freelancer provide online projects.
- Required Skills: Skills in programming languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or Python.
Social Media Management
- Idea: Manage social media accounts for individuals or businesses, including content creation and data analysis.
- Tools: Tools like Hootsuite and Buffer can help manage accounts across multiple platforms.
- Required Skills: Digital marketing skills, data analysis, and the ability to create creative content.
Technical Support
- Idea: Provide online technical support to users, helping them solve issues related to devices or software.
- Tools: Platforms like LiveChat and Zendesk offer support tools.
- Required Skills: Technical skills, problem-solving ability, and knowledge of software or hardware.
Graphic Design
- Idea: Design logos, advertisements, or any visual content for individuals or businesses.
- Tools: Software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or even Canva for design.
- Required Skills: Creative design skills and familiarity with design software.
Video Production
- Idea: Edit videos or create visual content for brands or individuals.
- Tools: Software like Adobe Premiere Pro or online video editing tools like InShot.
- Required Skills: Video editing skills and visual composition.
Consulting
- Idea: Offer consulting services in fields such as business, marketing, or personal development online.
- Tools: Platforms like Clarity.fm or LinkedIn help you find clients.
- Required Skills: Expertise in your consulting field and negotiation skills.
Food Preparation or Catering
- Idea: If you are good at cooking, you can prepare food and sell it to individuals or offer catering services for events.
- Tools: Promote your work through social media or food delivery apps.
- Required Skills: Cooking skills and creativity in preparing dishes.
Translation
- Idea: If you are fluent in more than one language, you can work in translation between different languages.
- Tools: Platforms like ProZ and Gengo provide opportunities for translators.
- Required Skills: Fluency in multiple languages and accurate translation abilities.
Data Entry
- Idea: Work on entering data for companies or individuals online.
- Tools: Platforms like Upwork and Freelancer offer data entry jobs.
- Required Skills: Fast typing and accuracy.
Affiliate Marketing
- Idea: Promote products or services online for a commission.
- Tools: Platforms like Amazon Associates or ClickBank offer affiliate marketing opportunities.
- Required Skills: Digital marketing skills and the ability to manage online campaigns.
Virtual Assistant
- Idea: Assist businesses or individuals with their daily tasks such as answering emails, organizing appointments, and preparing reports.
- Tools: Tools like Google Workspace and Microsoft Office help organize tasks.
- Required Skills: Organizational skills, time management, and good communication.
Technical Writing
- Idea: Write technical content such as user manuals, product descriptions, or scientific topics.
- Tools: Text editing tools like Google Docs or Microsoft Word.
- Required Skills: Technical knowledge and academic writing skills.