Who is responsible for providing for the family?
على من يجب الإنفاق على الأسرة؟
The Islamic financial structure of the family is designed to ensure stability, placing the core responsibility of maintenance securely on the husband's shoulders.
تم تصميم الهيكل المالي الإسلامي للأسرة لضمان الاستقرار، واضعاً المسؤولية الأساسية للنفقة بأمان على عاتق الزوج.
The Duty of Family Maintenance | واجب النفقة الأسرية
1. The Obligation on the Man
Providing for one’s wife and children is a duty for a man. (The husband must cover the essential needs of the family, including food, clothing, housing, and general well-being according to his means).
1. الوجوب على الرجل
الإنفاق على الزوجة والأولاد واجب على الرجل. (يجب على الزوج تغطية الاحتياجات الأساسية للأسرة، بما في ذلك الطعام والكسوة والمسكن والرفاهية العامة وفقاً لقدرته).
2. The Quranic Evidence
Allah Almighty says: (The child’s father will provide reasonable maintenance and clothing for the mother during that period) Al-Baqara 2: 233.
2. الدليل القرآني
لقوله تعالى: (وَعَلَى الْمَوْلُودِ لَهُ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَكِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ) البقرة 2 : 233.
3. The Reward of Charity
And it is one of the greatest Sadaqa (charity) if one’s intention is to please Allah. (When a man spends on his household with a sincere heart, every expense is counted as a highly rewarded act of worship).
3. أجر الصدقة
وهي من الصدقات إذا ابتغى بها وجه الله. (عندما ينفق الرجل على أهل بيته بقلب مخلص، تُحسب كل نفقة كعبادة عظيمة الأجر).
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
Is a working wife obligated to share the household expenses?
No, she is not obligated. The financial maintenance of the family is solely the husband's responsibility in Islam. Any contribution she makes is entirely voluntary and is considered a highly rewarded act of charity.
What does "reasonable maintenance" include?
Reasonable maintenance includes the provision of appropriate housing, food, clothing, and essential daily needs according to the husband's financial ability and the general standard of living in their society.
Does a man get rewarded for buying food for his family?
Yes, absolutely. The Prophet ﷺ taught that whatever a man spends on his family, even a morsel of food he puts in his wife's mouth, is recorded for him as an act of charity (Sadaqah) if he does it seeking Allah's pleasure.