Can a Married Woman Facilitate Her Parents from Her Own Income?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
It is known that after marriage, the wife’s salary remains hers, and the husband’s salary is provision for both the wife and the husband. As the husband becomes the wife’s guardian, must she inform her husband when providing for her parents?
Amongst society, it is not recognized or honorable that a wife provides for her parents (of her own will) even after marriage, as she is now under the guardianship of her husband. Please could I receive more clarification and guidance on this matter?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good faith and health.
A married woman can provide for her parents despite being under the guardianship and care of her husband. She can decide what to do with her earned money and property. Furthermore, as her Allah-given right, the husband is obligated to spend on her.
Men are the Caretakers of Women
“Men are the caretakers of women, as men have been provisioned by Allah over women and tasked with supporting them financially.” [Quran, 4:34]
A husband cannot demand or spend his wife’s salary without her permission. He is obligated to spend his money, not hers. The relationship, on the other hand, should be founded on love, harmony, and compromise, and a marriage should be built on this understanding from the start of a new married life. To avoid future disagreements or misunderstandings, one should continue to renew marriage commitments.
The Woman is a Guardian in Her Husband’s House
Ibn ‘Umar (Allah be pleased with him) reported the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “All of you are guardians and are responsible for your wards. The ruler is a guardian and the man is a guardian of his family; the lady is a guardian and is responsible for her husband’s house and his offspring; and so all of you are guardians and are responsible for your wards.” [Bukhari]
Furthermore, it is desired for the wife to assist her husband in matters of this world and the afterlife, rather than an obligation. Whatever contribution she makes is a charitable act, and it is desired that she assist in covering household expenses, even if the husband’s salary is sufficient. This noble act will bring happiness and contentment to the family as long as both parties agree.
Related:
- Provision and Work: A Reader
- Should Women Work?
- What Is the Role and Responsibility of Wife in the Marriage?
- What Are a Wife’s Rights and Responsibilities in a Difficult Marriage?
- Should Women Prioritize Their Life at Home over Work?
- Fiqh of Financially Supporting one’s Parents and Relatives
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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.
