My husband has been unemployed for more than 20 years now. Allaah The Almighty favored me with work and a good income, with which I have supported my family and husband. Praise is due to Allaah, I have willingly given my husband the freedom to dispose of the money, pay Zakaah (obligatory charity), save and spend, so that he would not feel humiliated. I am worried that he used to pay Zakaah on my behalf and on behalf of himself and the children. I do not know whether the reward will go to him or to me. If he wants to perform Hajj, is it permissible to perform Hajj with the money that we save or the income that I earn from my work? Is my marriage valid under Sharee‘ah (Islamic law), because my husband does not financially support me? I am satisfied with the decree of Allaah and all praise is due to Allaah.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

Financial maintenance of the wife and the children is obligatory upon the husband if he is able to do so, even if the woman is rich. However, if she agrees to financially support her husband, then this indicates her good morals. The money spent by her willingly is considered charity that she will be rewarded for. It is permissible for the husband to perform Hajj with his wife’s money, if she agrees. If she does not agree, then it becomes impermissible for him to do so.

The marital relation is one of the strongest relations. If the wife provides for her husband or his children this does not affect the validity of the marriage.

Allaah Knows best.