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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books An Introduction To The Rights And Duties Of Women In Islam Nafaqah (Financial Support) and its Philosophy According to Islam providing for the expenses of the family, including the expenses of his spouse, is a husband’s duty. A man must finance all his partner’s expenses, even if she is wealthier than he. The necessity of nafaqah is one of the certain commandments of Islam. It is the right of a wife.

If a husband does not pay it, it remains a debt upon him and must be paid on demand. If he refuses to pay nafaqah , an Islamic religious magistrate may divorce them at the wife’s request.

Imam Muhammad Baqir (‘a) has declared: أبوبصیر، قال: سمعت أباجعفر (ع) یقول: «من کانت عنده امرأة فلم یکسها ما یواري عورتها، و یطعمها ما یقیم صلبها کان حقّاً علی الإمام أن یفرّق بینهما.» [Regarding] he who has a wife but does not provide her adequate clothing and food, it is the duty of an Imam to separate them.[^1] Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar has stated: إسحاق بن عمّار، قال: قلت لأبی عبدالله (ع): «ما حق المرأة علی زوجها الذی إذا فعله کان محسناً؟ قال: یشبعها، و یکسوها، و إن جهلت غفر لها.» I asked Imam Sadiq (‘a), ‘What rights does a wife have upon her husband, which if he fulfills he will be virtuous in this respect?’ He replied, ‘He must provide her food and clothes and forgive her indiscretions.’[^2] Nafaqah consists of all needs of a family, with regard to available resources and conventions [ ‘urf ] of the time, place, and social level of the family.

Some of these needs are enumerated below: Food, fruit, and other such needs according to standard requirement Seasonal clothing according to the needs and social level of the family Carpeting and beds Cooking, eating, and drinking utensils Cooling and heating appliances Living quarters that provides comfort for the family and is in accordance with the social standing of the family Personal care and medical expenses Hygienic and cosmetic products Criticism The issue of nafaqah has been criticized such: Legislation of this commandment has dishonored women and through it, they are considered stipendiary servants who are given food, board, and clothing for their round the clock exertions and onerous housework.

Response In answer, it must be argued that this criticism is derived from the enmity or benightedness of the critic because, according to Islam, housework is not the duty of a wife; even regarding fostering, tending, and nursing children, no responsibility has been placed upon a wife.