717. Does A Wife Need To Ask Her Husband’s Permission To Spend Her Money Or Give In Charity?

By Asma bint Shameem 

There’s a difference of opinion among the scholars about the woman spending her wealth with or without her husband’s permission. 

The *stronger* and *correct opinion* is that the wife does NOT have to ask her husband’s permission to spend her money or give it in charity etc. 

And the husband does NOT have the right to tell his wife where and how to spend her money. 

Proof #1:

Our Mother Maymoonah bint al-Haarith radhi Allaahu anhaa freed a slave woman and she did not ask the permission of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam.

When it was her day for the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam to stay with her, she said: “Did you notice, O Messenger of Allaah, that I freed my slave woman?” 

He said: 

“Did you?” 

She said: 

“Yes.” 

He said: 

“If you had given her to your maternal uncles you would have earned a greater reward.” (al-Bukhaari 2592, Muslim 999)

 Imaam Al-Nawawi said commenting on this hadeeth:

“This shows that it is permissible for a woman to dispose of her wealth voluntarily without her husband’s permission.”

Proof #2:

Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam stood up on the day of al-Fitr and led the people in prayer. He started with the prayer then he delivered the khutbah. 

When he had finished he came down and came to the woman and exhorted them, leaning on Bilaal’s arm, and Bilaal was spreading out his cloak for the woman to throw their sadaqah (charity) into it.” (al-Bukhaari 978, Muslim 885) 

According to another report: “they started to give their jewellery in charity.”

Al-Haafiz said: 

“This hadeeth shows that a woman may give her wealth in charity without her husband’s permission.”

And Imaam Al-Nawawi said: 

“This hadeeth shows that it is permissible for a woman to give some of her wealth in charity without her husband’s permission and that this is not limited to one-third of her wealth. This is our view and the view of the majority. Maalik said: It is not permissible for her to give more than one-third of her wealth except with her husband’s permission. Our evidence for that from the hadeeth is the fact that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam did not ask them whether they had their husbands for permission, or whether they were giving more than one-third. If the ruling had differed he would have asked them.”

Having said that, it would definitely be *good* and *desirable* that the wife should consult her husband in her financial matters so as to keep harmony and avoid any misunderstandings or tensions. 

So although it’s not “required” for the wife to ask her husband if she can give charity from her own money, it’s still advisable and from wisdom and prudence that she should consult her husband about where she’s spending her money. 

Everything should be worked out between a husband and wife, amicably and lovingly, without creating tension or resentment. 

Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu  said: 

The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam was asked, 

Which woman is the best? 

He said, 

The one who makes [her husband] happy when he looks at her, who obeys him when he tells her to do something, and who does not oppose him in a manner he dislikes with regard to herself and her wealth.”

(Reported by al-Nisaai, 3179; Saheeh al-Jaami, 3292)”

And Allaah knows best

716. Is It Allowed To Give Zakaat To Non Muslims?

By Asma bint Shameem 

It is not allowed to give Zakaah to non Muslims. 

Zakaah can only be spent in the eight categories that are mentioned in Surah at-Taubah. 

Allaah says:

“As-Sadaqaat (here it means Zakaah) are only for the Fuqaraa’ (poor), and Al-Masaakeen (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allaah’s Cause (i.e. for Mujaahidoon — those fighting in a holy battle), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allaah. And Allaah is All-Knower, All-Wise”

[al-Tawbah 9:60]

The ONLY time we ‘may’ give Zakaah to non-Muslims is when a non Muslim seems inclined towards Islaam; but  that also comes with certain conditions and limitations.  

For example the person is in leadership position and is inclined towards Islaam and this Zakaah is given as an *incentive* to  soften his heart and ‘push’ him and his followers to accept this Deen. 

However, there’s no problem for you to give non-Muslims from your “voluntary” charity if you like. 

Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said: 

“Yes, it is permissible to give charity to non-Muslims in order to soften their hearts towards Islaam, with the hope that they will become Muslim, whether it is zakaah or voluntary charity. 

With regard to other purposes, it is permissible to give them voluntary charity but it is not permissible to give them zakaah, because Allaah says:

“Allaah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes. Verily, Allaah loves those who deal with equity” [al-Mumtahanah 60:8]. 

With regard to zakaah, it is not permissible for a kaafir unless he is one whose heart is to be softened towards Islam, because Allaah mentions among those who are entitled to zakaah “and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islaam)” [al-Tawbah 9:60].”(al-Ijaabaat alaa as’alatul jaaliyaat 1/24,25)

So although it is permissible to give *sadaqah* to anyone even non Muslims, I would recommend giving it to some poor Muslims instead. 

That’s because there are plenty of  resources for the non Muslims like their churches and other non Muslims. 

But for the poor Muslims, there’s no one but us to help them. 

Besides, the Muslims have more Haqq on our money because of the bonds of Islaamic brotherhood. 

And Allaah knows best