How to Your Lazy Husband to Help During Ramadan

Marriage is a partnership based on cooperation, where both partners share the responsibility of building a healthy and strong family. However, sometimes one partner, especially the husband, may fall into the trap of laziness and neglect, particularly in busy times like the month of Ramadan when the wife is expected to handle the housework, meal preparations, and hosting guests. If you find yourself dealing with such a situation, here are some strategies to encourage your husband to be more involved and helpful.

Why Do Some Husbands Become Lazy?

According to family counselor Nabila Riyad Abdelrahim, laziness among husbands is a traditional issue that many wives face, whether they've been married for a short or long time. Historically, gender roles in many societies, particularly in Eastern cultures, have led to an expectation that women are responsible for the home and children, while men only bring in the income. This mindset has carried over into modern times, leading to men avoiding household chores and leaving the wife to handle everything.

How Laziness and Irritability Increase in Ramadan

In Ramadan, many husbands may become even more irritable due to fasting, which can result in them spending most of the day either resting, sleeping, or watching television. As a result, their wives, who are handling multiple responsibilities—like preparing iftar, cleaning the house, and taking care of the children—become frustrated and overwhelmed, especially during social gatherings and family visits that are common in Ramadan.

Strategies to Get Your Husband to Help During Ramadan

Here are some helpful strategies to encourage your husband to become more involved in the household tasks during Ramadan:

Ask for Help in a Gentle Way Avoid raising your voice or giving orders. Instead, ask for his help using a tone of cooperation and teamwork. If he doesn't respond right away, don't get frustrated or angry. Yelling or being upset might cause him to distance himself further from the task at hand. Instead, approach him calmly and ask if he could help with a specific task. Be prepared to remind him gently if necessary.
Make Him Feel Like the Hero One effective way to motivate your husband is by making him feel like the hero of your life. Frame the task as something only he can do well, and let him know that you need him to help with certain things. Men often enjoy feeling needed, and this will encourage him to pitch in more.
Express Gratitude for His Help When he does help, even in small ways, show genuine appreciation. Compliment him on the task he's completed, and let him know how much easier it is for you to get things done with his help. This positive reinforcement will make him more likely to continue helping in the future.
Remind Him of the Prophet's Example Use the example of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a reminder. The Prophet was always involved in helping his household, whether it was helping with cleaning or preparing food. Reminding your husband that this is a noble practice in Islam can motivate him to contribute more.
Use Praise to Motivate You can also try to motivate him by complimenting him on his skills and offering praise. If you want him to help with a specific task, let him know how much you appreciate his help. This approach builds his self-confidence and encourages him to continue supporting you.
Choose the Right Moment to Ask for Help Be mindful of his mood and try to ask for help when he’s in a good mood. If he’s already irritable or exhausted, he’s less likely to respond positively to your request. Patience and timing are key.

Conclusion

Dealing with a lazy husband during Ramadan can be frustrating, but using the right strategies can help encourage cooperation. Approaching him with kindness, reminding him of his importance, and expressing gratitude for his help can make a big difference. Remember, cooperation is key to a strong partnership, especially in the blessed month of Ramadan. By working together, both partners can contribute to a peaceful, loving, and supportive family environment.