Answer
Short Answer: Of course not! It is a general principle that any money a woman has belongs solely to her. She is under no obligation to seek the permission of her husband before spending it, nor must she inform him of what she does with her money. This applies regardless of how a woman obtains the money (e.g. as a gift, as earnings from a job, etc.), as long as it was gotten in a halal manner (e.g. not stolen, not earned from a job that involves haram actions, etc.).
Salaam alaikum my sister, and thank you for your question.
Women Are in Charge of Their Own Money
It is a general principle that any money a woman has belongs solely to her.
She is under no obligation to seek the permission of her husband before spending it, nor must she inform him of what she does with her money.
This applies regardless of how a woman obtains the money (e.g. as a gift, as earnings from a job, etc.), as long as it was gotten in a halal manner (e.g. not stolen, not earned from a job that involves haram actions, etc.).
Allah says in the Qur’an:
Do not envy the way that Allah has made some of you excel over others: men should have a portion of whatever they have earned, while women should have a portion of whatever they have earned. Ask Allah for some of Allah’s bounty; Allah is Aware of everything. (4:32)
Here Allah mentions that both women and men are entitled to what they earn, while acknowledging that some people earn more than others (and that we should ask Allah to provide for us from Allah’s vast Bounty).
Allah also says in the Qur’an:
And give the women their dowry. But if they, of their own free will, return any part of it to you, take it and enjoy it with gratefulness. (4:4)
This indicates that a husband may not take any of his wife’s dowry without her permission, and that she is free to use her money however she wishes.
Responsibilities Involving Money
Since women have the right to control all of their own finances, they are also responsible for managing it according to Islamic principles.
If a woman possesses above a certain amount of money, or owns goods that have a monetary value above a certain amount, she is required to pay zakat on her wealth once a year.
She is also required to avoid getting involved with riba, or usury (e.g. paying or accepting interest on purchased items).
Although giving voluntary charity is not required, it is a highly recommended act of worship that will be rewarded by Allah.
Husbands Spending on their Wives
One of the rights wives have over their husbands is that they are entitled to economic maintenance, meaning that the husband must give, at a minimum, basic provisions (such as adequate food, clothing, shelter, and medicine) to his wife.
One of the titles men are given in the Qur’an is qawwamah, which means “one who protects and maintains.”
They are given this title because men are expected to spend from their own wealth on the women in their lives (Qur’an 4:34).
An allowance given to a wife from a husband to spend on whatever she wishes is not technically required, unless the money is meant for necessities like food, clothing, childcare, and the like.
However, spending on one’s wife for non-necessities or giving her money as a gift is a very praiseworthy act, since it demonstrates generosity, kindness, and love.
Kindness & Mercy Should Prevail In Marriage
Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, is reported to have said,
If a Muslim spends on his wife, and hopes for reward from Allah, it will be counted as charity on his part. (narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Furthermore, Allah has “placed affection and mercy” between spouses (Qur’an 30:21), and one way to show affection and mercy is to spend money on each other.
In summary, women are entitled to keep their own money and use it however they wish.
Men must spend part of their own wealth on providing for their wives’ and children’s daily living.
Both women and men are encouraged to spend money on and give gifts to their spouses as demonstrations of their love, which will be recorded by Allah as acts of charity.
I hope this answers your questions, sister.
Salam
(From Ask About Islam archive)
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