Can a woman take from her husband’s money without his permission?

by Asma bint Shameem

A man MUST spend on his wife and kids and it is obligatory upon him to provide for his wife and the family, according to his means.

🍃Allaah says.

“Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allaah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means.” [al-Nisa 4:34].

🍃And the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said in his Farewell Khutbah:

“Fear Allaah with regard to women … Their rights over you are that you should provide for them and clothe them in a reasonable manner.”

(Muslim, 1218)

🍃 Imaam an-Nawawi said:

“This indicates that it is obligatory to spend on the wife’s maintenance and clothing.

This is established by scholarly consensus.”

(Sharh Muslim 8/184)

So if the husband gives the wife a lump sum of money to spend as household expenses for the week or month etc., she can spend from it.

And if there’s some money left over, she may keep that and use it for whatever she likes, IF

they have a “general understanding” that the wife will keep some money if left over from the household expenses.

And she may even give some in charity.

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“When a woman spends in charity from the food of her house, without wasting it, she will have a reward from what she spent.

Her husband will have a reward from what he earned, and the storekeeper will have a similar reward. Their rewards will not decrease each other at all.”

(Saheeh al-Bukhaari 1359, Saheeh Muslim 1024)

🍃 Asma’ Radhi Allaahu anhaa said that she came to the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam and said:

“O Messenger of Allaah, I have nothing but that which al-Zubayr gives me. Is there any sin on me if I give charity from that which is given to me?”

He said:

“Give whatever you can.”

According to a report narrated by al-Bukhaari: “Give charity.”

(al-Bukhaari 2590, Saheeh Muslim)

But if he’s strict about where she’s spending the money, and wants her to ask his permission before she spends anywhere, then she must obey him in that and she cannot take any money from that amount.

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“A woman should not spend anything from her husband’s household except with his permission.”

It was said:

“O Messenger of Allaah, not even food?”

He said: “That is the best of our wealth.”

(Abu Dawood 3565; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood)

🔺What if he’s STINGY and does not give her any money?

If he’s stingy and does not give her ENOUGH for her and the kids, that which is reasonable, then in such situations, it is permissible for her take from his money without his permission.

But she must be careful not be extravagant in it or take unnecessarily.

🔺 Proof:

🍃 The wife of Abu Sufyaan radhi Allaahu anhu came to the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and said,

“O Messenger of Allaah, Abu Sufyaan does not give me what is sufficient for me or for my children.”

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said,

“Take from his wealth according to what is right and good which will suffice you and your child.”

(al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

🍃 Sheikh Ibn Baaz said about this issue:

“It is allowed for a woman to take money from her husband without his knowledge to meet her and her children’s needs if he is not giving them what they are customarily entitled to.

She must take the money without extravagance or waste if he does not give her what suffices her.

This is based on what is recorded in Saheeh al-Bukhaari and Saheeh Muslim....

“Take from his wealth according to what is right and good which will suffice you and your child.”

And Allaah knows best

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