Is it permissible for a wife to take money she found belonging to her husband without his knowledge to cover her refused personal expenses, and to save from it to meet her future needs, given his occasional refusal to spend on her as a form of punishment, and what is the advice for getting back the gold he borrowed from her despite his extensive financial capability?
It is not permissible for a wife to take her husband's money without his knowledge if he is fulfilling his obligatory maintenance (nafaqa) in a reasonable manner, based on the Almighty's saying: (O you who have believed, do not consume one another's properties unjustly, but only [in lawful] trade by mutual consent.) and the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: (The property of a Muslim is not lawful except with his willing consent.) However, if he falls short in providing the obligatory maintenance, then it is permissible for her to take what is reasonable, based on the of Hind bint Utbah. Obligatory maintenance includes food, clothing, and hygiene products. It does not include adornments unless the husband wishes for her to adorn herself for him. If the husband takes his wife's gold, he must return it. She is permitted to take from his money an amount equivalent to the price of the gold if she is safe from scandal.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Original fatwa ID
- 7934
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- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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