Fathwa - Islamic learning without husband's support

Question:
My husband and I got married over 2 years ago. At the time, I was
involved in certain Islamic activities outside work, including a
regular class with my sheikh. I explained the importance of my sheikh
in my life, of myIslamic learning and my activities. My husband at the
time even asked me if I wanted to become a scholar, although he felt
the extra activities would probably not becompatible with marriage and
work. Hesaid he was marrying me for my deen and respected the fact I
had been around goodcompany. After marriage, I have given up any
formal involvement with those activities for his pleasure as I now
havesignificant responsibilities at home, am working and have a young
child, too. Although I wish he'd be more supportive of good works,
time permitting, I can bear this and he does on occasion allow me to
help out with certain activities. However, my prime concern is my
Islamic learning and interaction with practicing muslims. I will be
taking some time off work soon, insha Allah, and will subsequently cut
down to just 3 days a week. I did this to spend more time with my baby
but also to make more time for my own self-development. My husband
works quite long hours during the week. Everytime I suggest some form
of Islamic activity, he tells me that my responsibility is to himand
the baby, that there are many obligations and we cannot fulfil them
all, that this will compromise him, etc. Ican't put my finger on why
he is being obstructive. I know I can legally seek knowledge without
telling him, but I do not wish to resort to this...
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful
Dear Sister,
Assalamu alaikum,
I pray this message finds you well.
Legally, your husband can restrict you from leaving the house.
However, he is not allowed to restrict you from learning knowledge
that is personally obligatory. If the only way for you to learn what
is personally obligatory means leavingthe house to attend classes,
then your husband should permit this. If he won't, then he should
allow you to haveclasses in your home.
It is important that husbands be aware of, and appreciate, the
importance of the wife's spiritual and intellectual life. As Ustadha
Hedaya Hartford writes, "The husband should provide the means for his
wife tolearn, apply her knowledge and grow in her faith and nearness
toAllah Most High" (Ustadha Hedaya Hartford,Initiating and Upholding
an Islamic Marriage).
Normally, it is both impractical and unfair for a man to expect his
wife to stay at home 24/7, especially in Western societies, wherewomen
have an active and public presence. The Muslim wife is still boundby
the parameters of the Shariah, but she should still have access to
education, employment, and good companionship.
It is important for you and your husband to sit down and discuss how
you can balance between your duties as awife and mother and your
responsibility to seek to personally obligatory knowledge.
Finally, personally obligatory knowledge includes learning about
purification, prayer, women's fiqh, tajwid, and anything necessary to
make your worship and relations sound and proper.
And Allah knows best.