Is It Obligatory To Support My Husband To Repay His Debts and Not Spend on My Needs?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
My husband owes 30,000 dollars to creditors. They have put a lot of interest charges on it. We have stopped paying back with interest which they haven’t accepted. Something we can afford.
I want to buy a car for myself. Is it a halal purchase while my husband owes money? Do I obligate to help him pay his debts? I work, and I spend my money at home. What are my rights and obligations? We need another car, so I need your guidance.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question and seeking guidance.
It is good of you to earn a livelihood and support your husband in your family life. I understand your husband has a debt, and it will be honorable of you to help him to repay it, especially if it is not his wrongdoing and mistake. This is a long-term concern.
Buying a Car for Yourself
There would be nothing wrong if you were to buy a car. It will be from your own money, and it is an immediate need for you to fulfill your daily needs. It will help the family life run smoothly and meet short- and long-term needs. You will not be sinning in any way.
Men are the Caretakers of Women
Men are caretakers responsible for earning a livelihood and paying their debts. Women who work and support their husbands are honorable. So, nothing is wrong if they need something from their own livelihood.
Allah Most High says, “Men are the caretakers of women, as men have been provisioned by Allah over women and tasked with supporting them financially.” [Quran, 4:34]
A Woman’s Primary Duty
A wife’s primary duty is being a mother and housewife. She can work, but working around these two duties is essential. This will ensure a happy home and a good upbringing for children. There are great benefits and wisdom in this setup which cannot be gained by both couples unnecessarily being in active employment.
Read the links below:
What is the Ruling of a Husband Who Does Not Work? (seekersguidance.org)
Should Women Work? – SeekersGuidance
women’s rights Archives – SeekersGuidance
What Is a Woman’s Religious Role? – SeekersGuidanceReader on Women’s Ranks in the Hereafter – SeekersGuidance
Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersAcademy (seekersguidance.org)
I pray this helps with your question.
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey.
He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled into an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and Alimiyyah sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan.
He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for a number of years. He has taught hifz of the Qur’an, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to both children and adults onsite and online extensively in UK and Ireland. He was teaching at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences.
He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His personal interest is the love of books and gardening.
