❀ Wife’s Wealth and Dowry: Husband’s Right and Conditions ❀
Source:
This article is derived from the book 500 Questions and Answers for Women, based on the Fatwas of the scholars of the Haramain. The translation was done by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
Is it permissible for a husband to take his wife's wealth with her consent and merge it with his own wealth, or is the consent of their children also required?
There is no doubt that a wife is fully entitled to her dowry (mahr) and personal wealth—whether it is:
✔ Wealth she has earned,
✔ Given to her as a gift (hibah), or
✔ Inherited property.
In all cases, the wealth belongs solely to her, and she has full authority over it.
If a woman willingly allows her husband to use all or part of her wealth, it is permissible for him to do so, and such wealth becomes halal (lawful) for the husband.
Allah ﷻ says:
وَآتُوا النِّسَاءَ صَدُقَاتِهِنَّ نِحْلَةً ۚ فَإِن طِبْنَ لَكُمْ عَن شَيْءٍ مِّنْهُ نَفْسًا فَكُلُوهُ هَنِيئًا مَّرِيئًا
[Surah An-Nisa 4:4]
"And give the women their dowries with a good heart. But if they, of their own accord, remit any part of it to you, then enjoy it with pleasure and goodwill."
The condition is that the woman gives it with genuine contentment and free will. If the woman is sane and mature (ʿāqilah, rashīdah), no permission is required from the children or anyone else.
However:
✦ It is not appropriate for the wife to boast about her generosity or use it as a means of showing favor.
✦ Likewise, the husband should not mistreat her, pressure her, or harm her in any way if she refuses, because she has full right over her wealth.
And Allah knows best.
Source:
This article is derived from the book 500 Questions and Answers for Women, based on the Fatwas of the scholars of the Haramain. The translation was done by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
❖ Question:
Is it permissible for a husband to take his wife's wealth with her consent and merge it with his own wealth, or is the consent of their children also required?
❖ Answer:
There is no doubt that a wife is fully entitled to her dowry (mahr) and personal wealth—whether it is:
✔ Wealth she has earned,
✔ Given to her as a gift (hibah), or
✔ Inherited property.
In all cases, the wealth belongs solely to her, and she has full authority over it.
If a woman willingly allows her husband to use all or part of her wealth, it is permissible for him to do so, and such wealth becomes halal (lawful) for the husband.
Allah ﷻ says:
وَآتُوا النِّسَاءَ صَدُقَاتِهِنَّ نِحْلَةً ۚ فَإِن طِبْنَ لَكُمْ عَن شَيْءٍ مِّنْهُ نَفْسًا فَكُلُوهُ هَنِيئًا مَّرِيئًا
[Surah An-Nisa 4:4]
"And give the women their dowries with a good heart. But if they, of their own accord, remit any part of it to you, then enjoy it with pleasure and goodwill."
The condition is that the woman gives it with genuine contentment and free will. If the woman is sane and mature (ʿāqilah, rashīdah), no permission is required from the children or anyone else.
However:
✦ It is not appropriate for the wife to boast about her generosity or use it as a means of showing favor.
✦ Likewise, the husband should not mistreat her, pressure her, or harm her in any way if she refuses, because she has full right over her wealth.
And Allah knows best.
