Financial Rights of Muslim Wives over the Husband

"

Allah says in the Quran (interpretation of the meaning): “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.” [Surah Ar-Rum; 30:21]

As mentioned in the above ayah, it is one of the greatest sign from Allah, the Almighty, that He created mates for mankind, so that they can find comfort and tranquility in them. To make this relationship beautiful, in Islam each spouse has certain right and duties assigned towards each other. In this article we’ll discuss about the financial rights of Muslim wives over their husbands.

In Islam, Muslim wives have certain financial rights over their husbands. These financial rights includes that husbands must support their Muslim wives financially; make sure to provide and take care of their Muslim wives basic needs like accommodation, food and clothing. As Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Let the rich man spend according to his means; and the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what Allah has given him” [Surah al-Talaaq 65:7]

Also from the hadith narrated from Jaabir that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said in his Farewell Sermon: “Fear Allah concerning women! Verily you have taken them on the security of Allah, and intercourse with them has been made lawful unto you by words of Allah. You too have rights over them, and that they should not allow anyone to sit on your bed [i.e., not let them into the house] whom you do not like. But if they do that, you can chastise them but not severely. Their rights upon you are that you should provide them with food and clothing in a fitting manner”. (Narrated by Muslim, 1218)

One of another important financial right of Muslim wives is Mahr (dowry). Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And give to the women (whom you marry) their Mahr (obligatory bridal-money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage) with a good heart” [Surah Al-Nisaa’ 4:4]

Here’s an advice for my dear brothers in Islam: Take care of the rights of your Muslim wives; spend generously on them, with the intention of getting the reward for it from Allah, the Almighty.

As narrated from Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqas, our beloved prophet (Peace be upon Him) said: “You will be rewarded for whatever you spend for Allah’s sake even if it were a morsel which you put in your wife’s mouth.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

In our next article, we’ll be discussing about the Non-financial rights of Muslim wives over their husbands, In shaa Allah