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سنن دارمي
Darimi
من كتاب النكاحFrom the Book of Marriage
باب في وُجُوبِ نَفَقَةِ الرَّجُلِ عَلَى أَهْلِهِChapter: Obligation of a Man’s Maintenance for His Family
Hadith 2296
اُردوEn
أَخْبَرَنَا جَعْفَرُ بْنُ عَوْنٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ هِنْدًا أُمَّ مُعَاوِيَةَ امْرَأَةَ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ أَتَتْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، فَقَالَتْ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، إِنَّ أَبَا سُفْيَانَ رَجُلٌ شَحِيحٌ وَإِنَّهُ لَا يُعْطِينِي مَا يَكْفِينِي وَبَنِيَّ إِلَّا مَا أَخَذْتُ مِنْهُ، وَهُوَ لَا يَعْلَمُ، فَهَلْ عَلَيَّ فِي ذَلِكَ جُنَاحٌ ؟ فَقَالَ: "خُذِي مَا يَكْفِيكِ وَوَلَدَكِ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ".
It is narrated from Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that Hind (bint Utbah), the mother of Muawiyah and the wife of Sayyiduna Abu Sufyan (may Allah be pleased with them), came to the service of the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "O Messenger of Allah! Abu Sufyan is a miserly man. He does not give me enough expenses that would suffice me and my children, except that I take something from him without his knowledge. Will I be sinful for doing so?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "You may take from his wealth in a reasonable manner, according to what is customary, that which is sufficient for you and your children."
Brief Explanation
(Commentary on Hadith 2295)
From this hadith, it is understood that spending on women and children is among the obligations of a man. Furthermore, this hadith sheds light on the rights of wives: if the husband does not provide maintenance (nafaqah) or acts with miserliness, then the wife may adopt any lawful means to obtain her expenses from him. She may also, in his unawareness, take from his wealth according to her need.
If she can only obtain her right by going to the court, judge, or ruler, then she may go there as well, just as Sayyidah Hind bint Utbah radi Allahu anha did. This will not be counted as backbiting or complaint. Moreover, it is necessary to keep good intention in all these matters, and if the sole purpose is mischief, discord, or household ruin, then this concession will no longer apply.
From this hadith, it is understood that spending on women and children is among the obligations of a man. Furthermore, this hadith sheds light on the rights of wives: if the husband does not provide maintenance (nafaqah) or acts with miserliness, then the wife may adopt any lawful means to obtain her expenses from him. She may also, in his unawareness, take from his wealth according to her need.
If she can only obtain her right by going to the court, judge, or ruler, then she may go there as well, just as Sayyidah Hind bint Utbah radi Allahu anha did. This will not be counted as backbiting or complaint. Moreover, it is necessary to keep good intention in all these matters, and if the sole purpose is mischief, discord, or household ruin, then this concession will no longer apply.
