Will a woman receive divine reward for spending on her own family?

Will a woman receive divine reward for spending on her own family?

 

Hadhrat Rabita bint ‘Abdullah, who was the wife of Hadhrat ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud (May Allah be well pleased with them) was a skilled craftswoman.  It is narrated on her authority that when Hadhrat ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud was unemployed, she would spend her own income on him and his children.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) had ordered that women should spend in charity and on hearing this, she told her husband:  By Allah!  You and your children are keeping me back from charity (that all my income is being spent on you) and I am unable to give anything in charity.  On this, Hadhrat ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud (May Allah be well pleased with him) said: If by spending on us, you are being deprived of divine reward, then even I don’t like that you should spend on us.

 

          The husband and the wife presented themselves to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  Hadhrat Rabita (May Allah be well pleased with her) said:  O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)!  I am a craftswoman and make things and sell them.  (At this time) my children and my husband have no money.  (As I spend on them) I cannot give anything in charity.  My income is being spent on them?  Will I get divine reward for this?

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  As long as you keep spending on them, you will be getting the reward for this.  Thus, keep spending on them.

 

This has been related by Imam Tahawi.

 

It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Umme Salma (May Allah be well pleased with her), she says:  I asked the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam):  O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)!  If I spend on the children of Abu Salma (May Allah be well pleased with him) who are through me, will I get any reward?  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  You keep spending on them.  Whatever you spend on them, you will surely get the reward for it.

 

This has been related by Bukhari and Muslim.

 

[Excerpted from Noor Ul Masabeeh, Vol. 5]