Response: You'll have to explain what you mean by "strict?" As for your second question, yes women are capable of working and spending for the family. I do not disagree here. But again, the laws of islam are put forth to establish what is best for people. So despite the woman's capability, it is best that a man holds the burden of responsibility to financially run the household due to the difference in nature between men and women. Men are by nature physically stronger. Women by nature are more sensitive. So when it comes to work, it is best that men would leave the house and work to support the family while the wife stays and takes care of the home and children instead of making the women enter a workplace and perform hard labor, knowing the dangers that exist in the world, such as sexual predators, robbers, etc. It is done this way to better protect the women. Also, if there is a war or a dispute in which a fight will occur, naturally, it would again be more of the responsibility of the man to fight, instead if putting the women in such harm. So due to these measures, men are naturally the head of the household. When I say "head of household", please do not construe it to mean a dictatorship, where whatever the man says goes. This is not the case. By head if household, it simply means that the man has a much greater responsibility in protecting and supporting his family and home. And since the man has greater responsibility, then naturally, his influence will be greater. This is why a marriage of a muslim woman to a non-muslim man is prohibited, due to the influence he will have on her religion.
