Exploring the concept of khidmah in Hadith al-Bukhari No. 676 through Fatima Mernisi’s double investigation approach

Abstract

The division of domestic roles in Muslim families is often shaped by gender constructs, positioning women as household managers and men as primary breadwinners, which creates a dual burden for women. Islam emphasizes spousal relationships based on tranquility, compassion, and cooperation. The hadith narrated in al-Bukhārī No. 676, which describes Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) assisting his family with household chores, serves as an important reference. This study examines the meaning of khidmah in the hadith, analyzes its sanad and socio-historical context using Fatima Mernissi’s double investigation approach, and assesses its relevance to the role of husbands in contemporary Muslim families. The research employs a qualitative library-based method. Primary sources include the hadith on khidmah in the kutub al-tis‘ah, particularly Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī No. 676, and Fatima Mernissi’s The Veil and the Male Elite. Secondary sources include classical hadith commentary (sharḥ), literature on asbāb al-wurūd, and scholarly works on family relations and gender issues in Islam. Analysis integrates the ma‘ānī al-ḥadīṡ approach with the double investigation method to examine both the chain of transmission and the socio-historical context of the hadith. Findings indicate that khidmah, expressed in the phrase kāna fī mihnati ahlihi, reflects the Prophet’s active participation, moral responsibility, and humility in domestic life. His engagement in household work transcended the patriarchal norms of his time. Therefore, the values of partnership, shared responsibility, and care for family members embodied in this hadith remain relevant for fostering more just and harmonious Muslim households.