Wife taking from her husband’s money to give her poor relatives without his permission Fatwa No: 96289
- Fatwa Date:24-5-2007
Assalamualaikum, My question is If husband doesn't give money to his wife, whether she can take from his wallet without his permisson? and she can give that money to her poor relatives? he has a lot of money but he gives only his relatives. please answer my question. Thank u i am waiting for ur reply.
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 is His slave and Messenger.
It is not permissible for a wife to take from the money of her husband in order to donate to her relatives as the Prophet said in his farewell sermon: "A woman is not permitted to spend from her husband's house except with his permission." He was asked: ''Not even food?'' He said: “(No, because) That is the best of our money." [At-Tirmithi].
This is, of course, with the exception of what is generally permitted in the customs. If the wife knows that her husband does not hate donating in charity, then she does not need to seek his permission. Al-Muntadi said: “It is permissible for the wife to donate an amount which would not be considered as extravagancy but according to the customs and provided that she knows that this does not cause harm to her husband.”
The fact that a husband has a lot of money is not a sound reason for the wife to take from his money in order to donate to her relatives without seeking his permission. If she knows that he usually permits donating on the condition that it is not a big amount of money, then she may only donate within these limits. The Prophet said: “If a woman spends from her husband's earnings within reasonable grounds, then she will get half of his reward.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. This narration refers to a small amount of money and provided that the husband usually permits it, but if he prevents her or that she doubts whether or not he will be pleased with this, or that he is a mean person, then it is not permissible for the wife to donate in charity from her husband's money except with his prior permission.
Allaah Knows best.