This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Abu Hamza Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi's book Sahih Fazail Amaal.
Allah Almighty said:
﴿الرِّجَالُ قَوَّامُونَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ اللَّهُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ وَبِمَا أَنفَقُوا مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ ۚ فَالصَّالِحَاتُ قَانِتَاتٌ حَافِظَاتٌ لِّلْغَيْبِ بِمَا حَفِظَ اللَّهُ ۚ وَاللَّاتِي تَخَافُونَ نُشُوزَهُنَّ فَعِظُوهُنَّ وَاهْجُرُوهُنَّ فِي الْمَضَاجِعِ وَاضْرِبُوهُنَّ ۖ فَإِنْ أَطَعْنَكُمْ فَلَا تَبْغُوا عَلَيْهِنَّ سَبِيلًا ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيًّا كَبِيرًا﴾
"Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they spend from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in the husband's absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part you fear disobedience, admonish them, and leave them alone in beds, and beat them; but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, Great (above you all)."
Reference: (4-An-Nisa:34)
In this verse, Allah Almighty has stated one reason for men's authority over women is their spending of wealth, meaning men are responsible for the woman's residence and maintenance, to fulfill her life necessities.
At another place, He said:
﴿وَالْوَالِدَاتُ يُرْضِعْنَ أَوْلَادَهُنَّ حَوْلَيْنِ كَامِلَيْنِ ۖ لِمَنْ أَرَادَ أَن يُتِمَّ الرَّضَاعَةَ ۚ وَعَلَى الْمَوْلُودِ لَهُ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَكِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ ۚ لَا تُكَلَّفُ نَفْسٌ إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا﴾
"And mothers shall suckle their children for two whole years, for those who wish to complete the nursing period. And the father of the child shall bear the cost of their food and clothing on a reasonable basis. No person shall have a burden laid on him greater than he can bear."
Reference: (2-Al-Baqarah:233)
In this verse also, Allah Almighty has stated the man's responsibility to provide maintenance to the woman.
عن أبى مسعود البدري رضى الله عنه عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: إذا أنفق الرجل على أهله يحتسبها فهي له صدقة
It is narrated from Sayyidina Abu Mas'ud al-Badri (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: When a man spends on his family with the intention of reward, it is counted as charity for him.
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Faith, Chapter on Actions are by Intentions, No. 55. Sahih Muslim, Book of Zakat, Chapter on the Virtue of Spending and Charity on Relatives, Spouse, and Children, No. 1002
عن ثوبان قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: أفضل دينار ينفقه الرجل: دينار ينفقه على عياله، ودينار ينفقه على دابته فى سبيل الله، ودينار ينفقه على أصحابه فى سبيل الله
It is narrated from Thawban (may Allah be pleased with him), the freed slave of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "The best dinar is that which a man spends on his family. Then the dinar which he spends on his horse in the cause of Allah. Then the dinar which he spends on his companions in the cause of Allah."
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Zakat, Chapter on the Virtue of Spending on Family and Slaves, No. 994.
It is narrated from Sayyidina Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to him:
إنك لن تنفق نفقة تبتغي بها وجه الله إلا أجرت عليها حتى ما تجعل فى فم امرأتك
"Whatever you spend for the sake of Allah, you will be rewarded for it, even for the morsel you put in your wife's mouth."
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Faith, Chapter on Actions are by Intentions, No. 56. Sahih Muslim, Book of Wasiyyah, Chapter on Bequest of One-Third, No. 1628.
