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In the northern part of Nigeria, majority of women are working within the four corners of their matrimonial homes. However, some of them are fully integrated in the modern economy. This study identifies the contribution of the two classes of women to the modern Nigerian economy.
Muslim women's involvement and participation in the economic activities in Nigeria have today been a very controversial issue. There is a view that women are allowed by Islam to participate in any national issue, be it political, economic or otherwise. This is because; they have equal right with men. One therefore, sees women working in government offices, private organizations, markets and many other places with the aim of improving their living standard and giving their contribution to the economy.
The other view on the other hand, maintains extreme and opposite position with the first view. According to this view, women should totally remain in their homes and should not participate in any economic activities outside their matrimonial homes. They should however; give full attention to their domestic chore, and all their economic contribution should be limited in their homes. According to the last view, women could participate in economic activities outside their matrimonial homes. However, this should be under strict guidance from the religion of Islam. This means that they are neither prohibited from participation nor do they have absolute freedom to engage in all economic activities.
The above categorization of the present day Muslim women in Northern Nigeria could perhaps be similar to the categorization of women in the Hausa land Muslim community, which was given by Shehu Usmanu Danfodiyo before the Jihad. Kaura (1990) and Malami (1997) have both shown the conclusion derived by Danfodiyo with regards to the involvement of women in economic activities outside their matrimonial homes. Both the writers highlighted the conditions of Muslim women's participation in the economic activities as specified by the Shari'a.
Islam is not opposed to women's involvement and participation in economic development. In fact, it even encouraged them, but emphasizes that a large part of it should be carried out in their matrimonial homes more especially if they cannot conform with the Shari'a specifications of their going out. However, if they could, very little freedom is given to...