❖ Extracted from Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulām Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri ❖
✿ Is the Husband Responsible for Providing Maintenance (Nafaqah) to His Wife? ✿
The Ruling:
Yes, it is the husband’s obligation to provide for his wife’s essential needs, including food, clothing, shelter, and general maintenance, according to his financial capacity.
Evidence from the Qur’ān:
❀ Allah ﷻ says:
﴿وَعَلَى الْمَوْلُودِ لَهُ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَكِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ ۚ لَا تُكَلَّفُ نَفْسٌ إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا﴾
“And upon the father (of the child) is the provision and clothing for the mothers in a fair manner. No soul is burdened beyond its capacity.”
Sūrah al-Baqarah (2:233)◈ Key Points:
① Providing for one’s wife is a clear Sharʿī responsibility of the husband.
② This includes food, clothing, and shelter based on what is customary and reasonable (بِالْمَعْرُوفِ) in his community.
③ Financial limitations are recognized in Sharīʿah—no one is burdened beyond their means.
④ This ruling applies regardless of the wife’s wealth or income. The burden remains on the husband.
