Fatwa ID: 06869

Answered by: Alimah Jannatun Nessa

Question:

If a man is not able to financially provide for the household, and his wife is earning more than him at the current stage of his career, can she loan him money to pay expenses and then have him pay it back when he has sufficient income?

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

Answer:

Islam teaches that spouses should help and support one another in times of need. The husband must earn and provide for the family. However, if the wife is earning more than the husband and he is unable to financially provide for the household, it is permissible for her to lend him money to cover expenses if she is comfortable doing so and they both agree on the terms of repayment. However, it will be much better if the wife contributes to the household costs rather than giving it to the husband as a loan.

Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.

Written by Alimah Jannatun Nessa

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

[Surah 30: Verse 21]

وَمِنْ اٰیٰتِهٖۤ اَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُمْ مِّنْ اَنْفُسِكُمْ اَزْوَاجًا لِّتَسْكُنُوْۤا اِلَیْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَیْنَكُمْ مَّوَدَّةً وَّرَحْمَةً ؕ اِنَّ فِیْ ذٰلِكَ لَاٰیٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ یَّتَفَكَّرُوْنَ ۟

And one of His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves so that you may find comfort in them. And He has placed between you compassion and mercy. Surely in this are signs for people who reflect.