(#124)
Salam, the question below is from a sister who needs a fatwa.
“Is it permissable for a Muslim man to live off his wife’s earnings and then after the Talaq claim the ex-wife’s property?”
JazakumAllah
Answer
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
حامدا و مصليا و مسلما
Muhtaramah
We have received your query dated 09/12/2021 , our response is as follows :
According to the Shariah it is Waajib (compulsory) on a man to provide for his wife and his children.[1] It is not appropriate for a husband to live off his wife’s wealth.
In the case of a separation (Talaaq), no spouse will have any share from the other spouse’s wealth whatsoever , the husband is not entitled to any of the possessions of the wife’s by virtue of marriage alone. Similarly, the wife too is not entitled to any of the husbands possessions by virtue of marriage alone.
They will only be entitled to each-others belongings in the case of a joint ownership of a house or a car etc, in such a case, each spouse only has a right in their own share and it is not permissible for the husband or wife to take each-others wealth without their permission. [2]
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Answered by:
(Moulana) Abdushakoor Salim
11th Jumadal Ula 1443
16th December 2021
Checked and approved by:
(Mufti) Muhammad Irshad Motara
12th Jumaad Al Ula 1443
17th December 2021
[1] النَّفَقَةُ وَاجِبَةٌ لِلزَّوْجَةِ عَلَى زَوْجِهَا مُسْلِمَةً كَانَتْ أَوْ كَافِرَةً إذَا سَلَّمَتْ نَفْسَهَا إلَى مَنْزِلِهِ فَعَلَيْهِ نَفَقَتُهَا وَكِسْوَتُهَا وَسُكْنَاهَا) وَالْأَصْلُ فِي ذَلِكَ قَوْله تَعَالَى {لِيُنْفِقْ ذُو سَعَةٍ مِنْ سَعَتِهِ} [الطلاق: ٧] وقَوْله تَعَالَى {وَعَلَى الْمَوْلُودِ لَهُ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَكِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ} [البقرة: ٢٣٣] وَقَوْلُهُ – عَلَيْهِ الصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ – فِي حَدِيثِ حَجَّةِ الْوَدَاعِ «وَلَهُنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَكِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ» وَلِأَنَّ النَّفَقَةَ جَزَاءُ الِاحْتِبَاسِ
العناية، ص ٣٧٨، ج ٤
وكذا في اللباب، ص ٩١، ج ٣
فتاوى محمودية، ص ٤٢٠، ج ١٣
[2] المحيط البرهاني، ص ٥، ج ٦
كنز الدقائق، ص ٣٩٨
