Answer
Peace be upon you dear sister!
Thank you so much for approaching us and sending your question.
We are saddened to receive this question as it seems the husband in question is not following the teachings of Islam as per what we can read here.
May Allah guide him! However, we don’t know the full story.
To answer your question, “is it right for a husband to have his wife pay half the bills?” No, of course it isn’t. It is actually his job to pay the bills and the wife can only contribute if she wants to and if she is capable and willing and has a desire to help her family.
But it isn’t something that is required from her in the deen. This is the responsibility of the husband. He should maintain and provide for his family and they should coordinate so that they can do only what they can afford and seek Allah’s Help.
To answer your question, is it right that she has to do all of the house work? No, it isn’t right either and this isn’t the sunnah of our noble Prophet (peace and blessings upon him-PBUH).
Hisham said, “I asked ‘A’isha, ‘What did the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, do in his house?’ She replied, ‘He did what one of you would do in his house. He mended sandals and patched garments and sewed.” (Al-Adab Al-Mufrad)
So, the Prophet used to work in the house too. In another narration, narrated Al-Aswad bin Yazid:
I asked `Aisha “What did the Prophet (PBUH) use to do at home?” She said, “He used to work for his family, and when he heard the Adhan [call for the prayer], he would go out.” (Sahih Al Bukhari- emphasis added)
We do not know exactly what is going on with this husband. Perhaps his wife needs to sit with him and communicate clearly and discuss these problems, namely, making her pay the bills while he can fully afford them, and him not contributing in the household at all.
They should reach an understanding and discuss how this is against the teachings of Islam and the Sunnah and that there needs to be some changes.
Since we don’t have enough information, we advise you to communicate the full case to Ask The Counselor at the link here.
We ask Allah to grant you ease and facilitate your affairs for you.
Interesting resource: Rights and Responsibilities of Husbands and Wives by Nouman Ali Khan.
I hope this helps. Please keep in touch. Salam.
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