Nafaqah (shelter, clothing, and food)

Question:

Assalamualaykum i want ask that my husband is on low income and support 2 wives and his family. First wife not working me 2nd wife working. We been married 3 months and i have been contributing to running the household nearly three quarters. i have 3 daughters from previous marriage my eldest contributes too. my husband earns 200 pound week. he gives me 125 pounds my total expenses in a month is £1400. now my husband wants to leave his job for few days to seek knowledge .i think he could be earning that money for our household am i wrong t o feel that way.is it fard for him to seek knowledge or earn as much as he can for family as majority of expenses are burden on me please explain as i dont want to anything to go against my husband or deen jazakallah Answer: ﺑﺴﻢ اﷲ اﻟﺮﺣﻤﻦ اﻟﺮﺣﯿﻢ In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

In principal, it is the husband’s responsibility to spend upon all of his wives. He must fulfill their rights and give them nafaqah (shelter, clothing, and food). By neglecting this he would be sinful. In addition he is financially responsible for his children. However, if the children possess their own wealth, that money will be used to cover their expenses. As for the son, when he reaches the age where he is able to work, the father may find a job for him, have him work, and spend upon him from his earnings. Any excess wealth will be saved and given to them when they become mature. As for the daughter, the father will be financially responsible for her until she marries. Nevertheless, the father may have her learn a profession where she would not have to compromise on any Islamic values (e.g. maintaining modesty, not intermingling with strange men, etc.)- such as sewing, weaving, etc. Thus, her expenses will be covered from her earnings, and the father will assist her should the income be inadequate. In regards to the adult sons capable of work, they are responsible for their own expenses.

In relation to your husband wanting to seek knowledge, he can still acquire it through alternative means where he would not have to suspend work. Seeking knowledge of Fard Ayn (absolute essential teachings of Islam) is obligatory, and he may attain that by learning from certified scholars. If no one is available locally, he may study some courses online (e.g. Darul Ilm Birmingham). Neglecting one’s family’s rights with the excuse of “seeking knowledge” is unacceptable, especially if he is seeking knowledge which is optional (i.e. besides fard ayn). 1

Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Mohammad Ahsan Osmani Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah Darul Ifta Birmingham

اﻟﻔﺘﺎوى اﻟﻬﻨﺪﯾﺔ 1 اﻟﻨﺎﺷﺮ: دار اﻟﻔﻜﺮ

اﻟﻄﺒﻌﺔ: اﻟﺜﺎﻧﯿﺔ، 1310 ه رد اﻟﻤﺤﺘﺎر ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺪر اﻟﻤﺨﺘﺎر

اﻟﻨﺎﺷﺮ: دار اﻟﻔﻜﺮ-ﺑﯿﺮوت

اﻟﻄﺒﻌﺔ: اﻟﺜﺎﻧﯿﺔ، 1412ﻫـ - 1992م