Darul Uloom Trinidad & Tobago

Assalaamu Alaikum,

Q: What is the fatwa on a husband and wife separate savings? Like the wife works and has a little savings and her husband works as well for a lot more. They have one child and the husband demands money from the wife to help take care of the child. Is that right? Does the wife has to contribute some of her personal savings towards the child? Keep in mind the wife works and also takes care of the child at home with school work amongst other things and she has her domestic housework as well. Jazakallaah Allaah khair.

Wa Alaikum Assalaam,

A: According to the teachings of the Holy Quran, and that of the Prophet ﷺ, maintenance of the wife and children which includes food, clothing and lodging are all compulsory upon the husband. As such, in the above case, the husband cannot demand money from the wife to help take care of the child.

He is solely responsible for the maintenance of the child and that of the wife. The wife does not have to contribute some of her personal savings towards the child. If she does so on her free will, then it is accepted, but she cannot be forced to do so.

With regards to maintenance, the great Scholar Sayyid Sabiq writes in his famous Fiqh As Sunnah, ‘Maintenance is the right of one’s wife and children to get food, clothing and a residence, some other essential services and medicine, even if the wife happens to be a rich lady. Maintenance in this form is essential according to the Quran, Sunnah and the Consensus of the opinion of the Jurists. (Fiqh As Sunnah Vol.7, Pg. 85 – Shariah The Islamic Law Pg. 204 Ta-ha Publishers Ltd. London 1984).

And Allah Knows Best.

Mufti Waseem Khan.

01/07/15.