Ownership Rights of a Wife Over Her Wealth

Question:

I have given my inheritance to my mother. Does my husband have the right to object to this? Additionally, does a husband have the right to control his wife's wealth or salary?

Answer:

1. The Wife’s Ownership Over Her Wealth:
   A wife is the sole owner of her wealth and has complete autonomy to manage it. She has the right to:
   • Give gifts.
   • Donate in charity.
   • Forgive debts owed to her.
   • Relinquish her share of inheritance or other financial rights to whomever she chooses (whether relatives or others).
   • If the wife is sane and mature, her husband has no right to object to how she disposes of her wealth.
2. Husband’s Lack of Authority Over Wife’s Wealth:
   A husband does not have the right to control or use his wife’s wealth or salary without her consent. Any interference in her financial matters is only permissible with her explicit approval.

When the Husband Can Intervene​

The husband’s rights are limited to ensuring that his wife’s activities or financial decisions do not interfere with her marital obligations. If the wife engages in an activity—such as a job—that prevents her from fulfilling her marital duties, the husband has the right to request that she cease such activities.

Mutual Agreements Regarding the Wife’s Salary​

It is permissible for the husband and wife to agree on sharing her salary in return for specific conditions. For example:

• The husband permits her to work.
• He facilitates her transportation to and from work.

In such cases, the husband may receive a portion of her salary as part of a mutually agreed arrangement. However, this must be a consensual decision.

Conclusion:
A wife has full control over her wealth, and her husband cannot object to her financial decisions, provided they do not impact her marital obligations. The husband has no right to manage or utilize her wealth without her permission. Mutual understanding and cooperation are encouraged to ensure a harmonious relationship.
(Shaykh Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman al-Jibreen رحمه الله)Question: I have given my inheritance to my mother. Does my husband have the right to object to this? Additionally, does a husband have the right to control his wife's wealth or salary?

Answer:​

1. The Wife’s Ownership Over Her Wealth:
   A wife is the sole owner of her wealth and has complete autonomy to manage it. She has the right to:
   
   • Give gifts.
   • Donate in charity.
   • Forgive debts owed to her.
   • Relinquish her share of inheritance or other financial rights to whomever she chooses (whether relatives or others).
   • If the wife is sane and mature, her husband has no right to object to how she disposes of her wealth.
2. Husband’s Lack of Authority Over Wife’s Wealth:
   A husband does not have the right to control or use his wife’s wealth or salary without her consent. Any interference in her financial matters is only permissible with her explicit approval.

When the Husband Can Intervene​

The husband’s rights are limited to ensuring that his wife’s activities or financial decisions do not interfere with her marital obligations. If the wife engages in an activity—such as a job—that prevents her from fulfilling her marital duties, the husband has the right to request that she cease such activities.

Mutual Agreements Regarding the Wife’s Salary​

It is permissible for the husband and wife to agree on sharing her salary in return for specific conditions. For example:

• The husband permits her to work.
• He facilitates her transportation to and from work.

In such cases, the husband may receive a portion of her salary as part of a mutually agreed arrangement. However, this must be a consensual decision.

Conclusion:
A wife has full control over her wealth, and her husband cannot object to her financial decisions, provided they do not impact her marital obligations. The husband has no right to manage or utilize her wealth without her permission. Mutual understanding and cooperation are encouraged to ensure a harmonious relationship.

(Shaykh Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman al-Jibreen رحمه الله)