Search In Fatwa

Husband Giving Wife Pocket Money

Question

I have one question. Please reply in the light of Qur'an and Hadith and quote Hadith also Q. Is it compulsory on part of the husband to give his wife pocket money every month? Is it compulsory for the husband to give account of spending of his salary to wife every month? The husband is taking care of his wife and children very much by of course renting a home, arranging food and clothing to their liking as and when required (demanded by wife and child or sometimes otherwise also) and providing money to wife not as a monthly package but on Eid and when they go for vacation as wife has to purchase her and daughters clothes etc for 2 years as they are cheaper in India.Both are expats in Gulf and goes for vacation every two years.Her greavance is that the husband is sending big part of his salary to his parents and brothers and wife feels embarrassed by asking her husband to purchase things for home and her (though both of them goes together most often for shopping )?. The husband is being forced by his wife and in laws to give pocket money also saying that this is as per shariah ?? The wife is doing job also and getting good salary and her husband has never asked for a single paisa from her and never enquired where is she spending all the money ? because of the above great rift has developed between the two .answer should be supported with Hadiths or quotes from Qur'anI will be indebted for your kind reply.close friend of above couple.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

A husband is obliged to spend on his wife and children according to his ability, neither being extravagant nor niggardly.

Allah Says (what means): {Upon the father is the mothers' provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable.} [Quran 2:233]

Also, Mu'aawiyyah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him narrated: "I asked the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ): what is the right of the wife of one of us over him? He replied:Feed her whenever you feed yourself, clothe her whenever you clothe yourself; do not beat on her face; do not abuse her and do not separate yourself from her except inside the house.” [Abu Daawood]

A husband is also obliged to provide his wife with a suitable accommodation. Allah Says (what means): {Lodge them [in a section] of where you dwell out of your means and do not harm them in order to oppress them.} [Quran 65:6]

As long as he is bearing all the expenditure of his wife and children concerning their food, clothes and accommodation, he is not responsible to give her pocket money or a certain amount every month. Giving her something more than his obligation is desirable to strengthen the ties of affection and love between them. On the other hand, he is not responsible to inform her about his income and personal accounts. It is forbidden for a husband to obey his wife in stopping to give money to his parents or cutting kinship relations, instead he must follow the Orders of Allah. Allah Says (what means): {Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, …} [Quran 4:36]

Finally, we inform you that the atmosphere of love and affection should prevail between a husband and wife. Allah Says (what means): {And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.} [Quran 30:21]

Therefore, a husband and his wife should solve their own problems behind the screen without letting anyone else know about them. When other relatives interfere in the matters of a husband and wife, these matters seem to increase and become more serious. Definitely, one has to give up some of his rights in order to achieve the best results.

For more benefit on the duties of husband and wife towards each other, and treating the wife honorably, please refer to Fataawa 85308, 85167, 86618, and 88304.

Allah knows best.

Related Fatwa