Fatwa ID: 06410

Answered by: Alimah Zakiratul Hoque

Question:

If a husband cannot provide Nafaqah to his wife due to his inability to work (sickness) then who is responsible? If he can’t due to not having the wealth then the Masa’alah of taking a loan and then re-claiming from his husband later comes into play, but what if he will not be able to work in the future?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

The Nafaqah of a woman is that her husband should provide her with suitable food, clothing, and housing (Raddul Mukhtar, Vol 5, Pg 178). If he cannot work, he could claim benefits to use as a means of paying towards Nafaqah. If he needs further assistance, he could ask his children for help (if they are working), as children are obliged to help their parents when they are in need (Al Muhit Al Burhani, Vol 4, Pg 349).

و هي الطعام و الكسوة و السكنى

و يجبر الرجل الموسر علي نفقة بيه و أمه إذا كانا محتاجين ، لقوله تعالي ))و وصينا الإسان بوالديه حسنا(( فقد أوجب علي الولد الإحسان بوالديه ، و رأس الإحسان بوالديه في إحياهما ،و كذلك بالإنفاق عليهما

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Alimah Zakiratul Hoque

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham