In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

 

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

 

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “A woman shall not fast [voluntarily] while her husband is present without his permission.” (Al-Bukhari)

 

A husband may need to sleep with his wife but suddenly discovers that she is fasting and this may make him upset with her for not satisfying his desire. As he has a right in this regard, it sounds reasonable to ask for his permission before fasting.

 

As for woman’s financial responsibility, there are numerous evidences in the Quran and the Sunnah that a woman has full authority over her money and properties. She may buy and sell and make contracts without a need for permission from her husband. The majority of scholars also maintain that a woman may donate and give charity without husband’s permission.

 

In support of their position, they quote a number of evidences. In the Quran we read what means, “Moreover, give the women [whom you marry] their rightful marriage present, unconditionally. Yet if they are pleased to give something of it to you, then enjoy it salubriously, pleasantly” (An-Nisaa’ 4:4) which implicates that a woman enjoys full financial responsibility and may remit part of her dowry.

 

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in one occasion gave admonition to women exhorting them to give to charity, whereupon a number of the attendees started to donate their rings and other things. [Abu Dawud] Women in this hadith gave charity in the Prophet’s presence without referringto their husbands.

 

As for the hadith that reads “It is not permissible for a woman to present a gift except with the permission of her husband” [Abu Dawoud], scholars interpret it to mean a gift given from her husband’s property; or, if from her own property, she should ask permission as a kind of showing respect to her husband.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.