Is "What is taken by the sword of modesty is unlawful" a noble prophetic hadith, and does it apply to a wife not taking her financial rights from her husband due to modesty and fear of problems?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The meaning of the saying "Modesty brings nothing but good" is correct, but it is not a prophetic nor a saying of a companion; rather, it is from the words of the wise. The jurists have agreed that taking money from others out of modesty does not transfer ownership to the taker, because it is coercion by the "sword of modesty." A husband must return to his wife any money he took from her without her willing consent, unless she forgives him.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/94358
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 94358
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Read the full answer on Ftawy