In recent times, many couples have asked whether it is a woman’s duty, once employed, to assist her husband in covering household costs. What does Islamic law (sharīʿah) say on this matter?
The Question at Hand
Over the past years, one of the most controversial questions among married couples has been: Is it among the duties of a working wife to help her husband with expenses?
Many argue that a working woman holds financial independence and therefore is not obliged to contribute toward household costs or assist her husband in meeting monthly needs. But how does Islamic jurisprudence address this issue?
Al-Azhar’s Position: No Obligation, But Voluntary Contribution Is Recommended
On its official Facebook page, Al-Azhar’s Fatwa Center answered the question: Is a working woman religiously required to help her husband with expenses? According to IslamWeb, Al-Azhar’s ruling states that a woman is not religiously obliged to share in her husband’s essential expenses; she cannot be forced to do so. Nevertheless, voluntary contribution is mustahabb (recommended) because it fosters cooperation and compassion between spouses.
Al-Azhar further clarifies that spouses may agree—by mutual consent—on how her income will be used, emphasizing that extra expenses arising from her work belong solely to her.
The View from Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta: Agreement Governs, Default Is Husband’s Obligation
Sheikh Ahmed Wissam, mufti at Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta, affirms that whether a working wife contributes to living costs depends on the agreement between husband and wife. In a video posted on Dar Al-Ifta’s Facebook page, he stated they should strive to reach a mutual understanding without conflict.
He explains that:
- If the husband and wife stipulated—either before marriage or later—that costs will be shared, then that condition is binding (as Muslims are accountable to the terms they agree upon).
- If no such condition was made, then the default in sharīʿah is that all household costs fall upon the husband alone, and the wife bears no legal responsibility to pay them. He supports this with the Qurʾānic principle that those who have greater means are to spend according to their capacity.
- Moreover, he cites prophetic traditions that the husband is obligated to provide for his wife’s clothing, sustenance, and living conditions.
Additional Insights from Islamic Jurisprudence
- IslamWeb emphasizes that the wife retains full ownership of her salary or wages. The husband has no right to take it unless she gives it voluntarily. “It is not lawful for the husband to take part or all of his wife’s salary unless she gives it to him voluntarily.”
- Dar Al-Ifta confirms that while the husband is responsible for providing for the house, the wife may contribute out of kindness—but not by obligation.
- The doctrine of al-kadd wa al-siʿāyah (the wife’s right in any wealth she helped develop) is also relevant: if a wife contributes her money or labor towards building the husband’s business or assets, then she may have a claim over the resulting increase, subject to agreement or adjudication.
Final Verdict According to Sharīʿah
- Under Islamic law, a working woman is not inherently obligated to help her husband with household costs, unless she and her spouse explicitly agreed to such an arrangement.
- The husband remains primarily responsible for all essential expenses of the family.
- If the wife chooses to contribute voluntarily, it is permissible and commendable.
- Her salary and wealth belong to her; she may use them as she wills, unless she contracts otherwise by mutual agreement.
Allah knows best.
From: radionisaa