His working wife refuses to help him with life expenses

11/03/2012| IslamWeb

Question

I work hard to support my wife and 3 kids and I spend all the money I earn on them. My wife also works but refuses to help me with life expenses that I can't afford. She wants me to find a second job to earn more money. Unfortunately, due to the fact that I can't find a proper job and to the fact that her working hours would not let either one of us stay with the little kids, I can't work a second job. What is the Fatwa in that regard?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
Indeed, you did well by endeavouring to earn your income to support your family and this is one of the acts by which one gets closer to Allah.
As a husband, you are obliged to spend on your wife and children. If you do so, you fulfil your obligation and you are not obliged to do anything more than this.
As regards the money of your wife, it is her property and she is not obliged to help you in spending on the household. However, if she does so by her own will, then this is good as it is a reason for strengthening the affection between both of you.
If you wish to take a second job, and one of you has to be with the children at home, then you may prevent your wife from going to work and order her to stay with the children at home if she had not conditioned on you before the marriage to allow her to work.
Allah Knows best.

Fatwa answered by: The Fatwa Center at Islamweb