But a male relative normally formalizes the marriage contract and marriage dissolution or divorce on a woman's initiative is only granted by a judge.
Excepting those specific tasks of public life which are obligatory on men and only voluntary to women, male Muslims in an Islamic Society have no exclusive prerogative or specialization.
Men have no power or authority over women except in the context of marital relationship. The man is in charge of the family, but that amounts only to responsibility for financial maintenance and authority for direction and discipline exercised in a reasonable manner. Both spouses should share in the management of family affairs, and have equal authority over their sons and daughters.
There is no segregation of sexes in public domains that call for joint efforts. Thus both men and women are supposed to participate in congregational prayers. The Prophet is reported to have said, "Don't stop women form going to mosques". .
From the foregoing, it is clear that the Prophet's directive is for women to go out publicly to frequent mosques, and to attend and offer Eid (celebratory) prayers. It is also recognized that pilgrimage (Haj), despite its displacements and thick crowds, is a function performed in common by men and women.
A woman is quite entitled to go out for any need. She may go to the market to do business or otherwise; even though this may entail someone inconveniencing her. .
Women can engage in business and commerce. Islam does not call for segregation between men and women. A woman may, therefore, receive the family guests, serve and entertain them. .
The Muslims in history have experienced a significant deviation from the general ideals of life as taught by Islam. It is, therefore, not at all surprising that their loss is equally great in the area of social guidance which Islam offered regarding women. Whenever weakness creeps into the faith of Muslim men they tend to treat women oppressively and seek to exploit them.