Fatwa ID: 09024
Answered by Maulana Nahid Uddin
Question:
Here’s the revised question:
Is it obligatory for a husband to provide financial support, known as nafaqa, to his wife who has ejected him from their marital home, citing allegations of assault and is currently pursuing a case against him, when he is unable to maintain two separate households and she refuses to allow him to return to the home?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
The obligation of nafaqa (financial maintenance) is generally necessary upon the husband. [1] This includes providing housing, clothing and food. [2] Maintenance upon him becomes obligatory with complete marital availability from the wife’s perspective, meaning she resides with him or allows him access in a normal marital setting without unjustified refusal.
Nonetheless, this responsibility of maintenance is predicated on the condition that the wife places herself at the husband’s disposal in a lawful manner. If, for instance, the wife prevents the husband from access or expels him from the marital home without a Shari justification, she may be considered sinful, in which case her right to nafaqa is suspended. [3] [4] That said, if her refusal is due to a legitimate fear of harm, such as credible allegations of assault, then her staying away is excused.
Accordingly, in the scenario described, the ruling depends on the reality of the claim: if the wife has a substantiated fear of harm or a legal process affirming risk, her refusal to allow the husband back is justified, and nafaqa remains obligatory to the extent of his ability. If, however, the exclusion is unjustified, then her nafaqa may be suspended. Such cases should be referred to a qualified local mufti or Shariah council with full details to determine the presence of harm and the continuation of nafaqa.
Only Allah ﷻ knows best.
Written by Maulana Nahid Uddin
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
References:
[1]
– ٱلرِّجَالُ قَوَّٰمُونَ عَلَى ٱلنِّسَآءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍۢ وَبِمَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ مِنْ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ ۚ
(Surah Al-Nisaa, A34)
[2]
– أَسْكِنُوهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ سَكَنْتُم
(Surah Al- Talaq, A6)
[3]
– ٢٦٠٣١ – قلنا: إذا لم يمكن أن تقيم في منزل الزوج، فقد صار الامتناع بمعصية من جهتها.
Kitab Al-Tajreed, Chapter on housing and maintenance, Page 5401. Accessed on Al-Maktabah Al-Shamilah, 01-05-26
وَلَا نَفَقَةَ لِلْمُتَوَفَّى عَنْهَا زَوْجُهَا، وَكُلُّ فُرْقَةٍ جَاءَتْ مِنْ قِبَلِ الْمَرْأَةِ بِمَعْصِيَةٍ كَالرِّدَّةِ وَتَقْبِيلِ ابْنِ الزَّوْجِ فَلَا نَفَقَةَ لَهَا، وَإِنْ جَاءَتْ بِغَيْرِ مَعْصِيَةٍ كَخِيَارِ الْعِتْقِ وَالْبُلُوغِ وَعَدَمِ الْكَفَاءَةِ فَلَهَا النَّفَقَةُ، وَإِنْ كَانَتْ مِنْ جِهَةِ الزَّوْجِ فَلَهَا النَّفَقَةُ بِكُلِّ حَالٍ، وَإِنْ طَلَّقَهَا ثَلَاثًا ثُمَ ارْتَدَّتْ سَقَطَتِ النَّفَقَةُ، وَإِنْ مَكَّنَتِ ابْنَ زَوْجِهَا لَمْ تَسْقُطْ.
Al- Ikhtiyaar Li Ta’leel Al-Mukhtar,Chapter of maintenance, Page 9. Accessed on Al-Maktabah Al-Shamilah, 01-05-26
[4]
– (وإن نشزت) أي: خرجت من بيته بلا إذنه بغير حق ولو بعد سفره (فلا نفقة لها حتى تعود إلى منزله) ؛ لأن فوت الاحتباس منها، وإذا عادت جاء الاحتباس فتجب النفقة، بخلاف ما إذا امتنعت من التمكين في بيت الزوج؛ لأن الاحتباس قائم؛ والزوج يقدر على الوطء كرها، هداية. وإذا كان الزوج معها في بيتها فمنعته من الدخول عليها كانت ناشزة، إلا أن تسأله التحول عنه كما في الجوهرة
Al Lubab Fi Sharh Al-Kitab, Chapter of Spending, Page 92. Accessed on Al-Maktabah Al-Shamilah, 01-05-26