Is it permissible for a woman to take from her husband's money without his knowledge to buy what she and her children need in terms of clothes, medicine, bedding, and home furnishings, if he falls short in providing her with what is sufficient for her, clothing them, and supplying her medicine, while he does not fall short in providing food and drink and gives his other wife what is sufficient for her?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
If the husband withholds the obligatory maintenance, it is permissible for the wife to take what suffices her and her child, in a reasonable manner, from his money without his knowledge. However, it is not permissible to take more than that except with his knowledge. As for furnishing the house and medical expenses, these are generally not obligatory upon the husband, so it is not permissible to take them except with his knowledge.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/126536
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 126536
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy