FatwaFederal TerritoriesMarriage & Family
IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-289: HUKUM SUAMI TIDAK BEKERJA DAN MENJADI SURI RUMAH
What is the ruling on a husband who stays at home without working while the wife bears the family expenses?
Short answer
The default ruling is that the husband is obliged to provide for his wife and children, and this duty falls primarily on the father.
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
- Irsyad al-Hukum (Umum)
- Topic
- Marriage & Family
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
The default ruling is that the husband is obliged to provide for his wife and children, and this duty falls primarily on the father. If the wife supports her husband and children, it is regarded as an act of kindness that earns her great reward. The amount of maintenance depends on the husband's means, and the fatwa cites al-Fiqh al-Manhaji on the effects of women working on household management and the wisdom of leadership resting with the husband.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Pada asalnya wajib suami menafkahi isteri dan anak-anaknya. Namun jika isteri menafkahi suami dan anak-anaknya, maka itu adalah ihsan dan pahala yang besar ke atasnya.
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. “IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-289: HUKUM SUAMI TIDAK BEKERJA DAN MENJADI SURI RUMAH”, 6 February 2019. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-hukum/umum/3094-irsyad-al-fatwa-siri-ke-289-hukum-suami-tidak-bekerja-dan-menjadi-suri-rumah. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-house-husband-wife-bearing-expenses/