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Wife worthiest of husband’s kindness

Question

What is the Sharee‘ah ruling on a husband who taunts his sick wife by reminding of the money that he spent on her treatment whenever a problem erupts between them?

Answer

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.

Despite the consensus of scholars that it is not obligatory upon the husband to bear the costs of his wife’s treatment, the husband should do so out of kindness, good morals and favor. It is praised under Sharee‘ah (Islamic law) to pay for anyone’s treatment; however, it is praised much more when it is done for one’s wife. The wife is the worthiest person of her husband’s kindness. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “The best among you are those who are best to their wives and I am the best among you in treating my wives.” [At-Tirmithi (Al-Albaani: Saheeh)]

Accordingly, any money spent in the cause of the wife’s treatment is a good deed which we hope will be rewarded by Allaah The Almighty. This husband should know that by his good deed he is trading with Allaah The Almighty. He should beware of nullifying this great deed by frequently reminding his poor wife with his favor of paying for her treatment. The Islamic Sharee‘ah warns about this act and considers it among the grave sins which invalidate good deeds. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury} [Quran 2:264]

Abu Tharr  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him said that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Three persons Allaah will not speak to on the Day of Resurrection: the one who reminds of his favor who does not give a thing but to remind [the recipient] of it; the seller of goods who sells them by taking false oath and the one who hangs low his lower garment.” [Muslim]

Allaah Knows best.

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