Shariah guidelines about bearing expenses of the family

 

Shariah guidelines about bearing expenses of one’s family

 

The Shariah has obligated the husband to provide for the food, clothing, shelter and other basic needs of the wife.  The Shariah has not fixed any particular percentage of the salary as expenses.  Instead, guidelines for the expenses are given as per the income of the husband.  If the couple is poor then the expenses would be the amount which is generally enough for poor people to lead their lives.  If the couple is rich, then the expenses would be what is generally necessary for the rich to fulfill their needs.  As given in Fatawa A’alamgiri, 547/548.

 

In light of the above mentioned details, one can judge for oneself whether the money given for expenses is enough or not.

 

What about the expenses of wife when she is at her parents’ place?

 

If the wife is at her parents’ place with the husband’s permission, then her necessary expenses are compulsory (Wajib) on the husband.  If the wife has gone over to her parents’ place without her husband’s permission without a reason which the Shariah holds to be valid, then her maintenance is not Compulsory on the husband.  As given in Durre Mukhtaar, Babun Nafaqah.

 

As regard to expenses of the adult son, the expenses of the son are the responsibility of the father until the son becomes a major.  When the son becomes a major, then the Shariah declares him as responsible for his expenses.  Now, the father is not responsible for the expenses.

 

Expenses of son

 

The expenses of the son are the responsibility of the father until the son reaches adulthood.  When the son becomes an adult, then the Shariah declares him as responsible for his own expenses.  Now the father is not responsible for the expenses.

 

If the adult son is ill or in some way does not have the capability to earn, then as per the Shariah, the responsibility of such a son is the responsibility of the father.  In the same way, the expenses of the son who has reached adulthood and has the capability to work, but cannot work as required, are also the responsibility of the father as per the Shariah.

 

Expenses of daughter

 

The expenses of the daughter are the responsibility of the father until she is married off.  However, it should be noted that because the father bears expenses of the daughter before her marriage, she is not excluded from the inheritance after marriage.  The daughter is also one of the heirs of the father and will receive her share as per the injunctions of the Shariah.