FatwaFederal TerritoriesTransactions & Finance
AL-KAFI #1082: BAYAR HUTANG ATAU BAYAR NAFKAH
Which takes priority on a low income: repaying a debt or providing maintenance for one's family?
Short answer
The fatwa explains both obligations before weighing which comes first.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Al-Kafi li al-Fatawi
- Topic
- Transactions & Finance
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
The fatwa explains both obligations before weighing which comes first. Repaying debt is ruled obligatory, based on hadiths stressing that debts must be settled. Maintenance is the husband's duty toward his wife and dependants, and a husband in hardship need only provide the basics: food, clothing that covers the aurah, and rented housing within his means. If he provides this basic maintenance, the wife has no right to request annulment (fasakh).
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Begitulah besarnya kesan orang yang tidak membayar hutang, secara tidak langsung hadith-hadith di atas meletakkan hukum membayar hutang adalah wajib.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “AL-KAFI #1082: BAYAR HUTANG ATAU BAYAR NAFKAH”, 6 February 2019. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/al-kafi-li-al-fatawi/3084-al-kafi-1082-bayar-hutang-atau-bayar-nafkah. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/repay-debt-or-pay-family-maintenance/