Financial Help From Relatives

Question: My wife isn’t working so I am receiving financial help from a relative. Is this okay?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

Receiving financial “gifts” from a family member is perfectly fine. Receiving “financial help” from others is perfectly halal, but not the preferred situation to be in. If you are personally able to earn more, live in a cheaper area, or do without the financial help, it would be better.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘The giving hand is better than the receiving hand’ (Bukhari and Muslim).

And he said, ‘It is better for anyone of you to carry a bundle of wood on his back and sell it than to go and beg from someone who may or not give to one’ (Bukhari and Muslim).

As for your wife working, that it is completely up to the two of you. If you are happy with her working and making money for herself to spend on her own interests, that is fine.

Otherwise, as a wife, she is never under any obligation to work or contribute financially to you. Her work has nothing to do with your finances in the eyes of the Sacred Law.

I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language