FatwaFederal TerritoriesMarriage & Family
IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-868: MENGAPA PENENTUAN KADAR NAFKAH MENGIKUT KEMAMPUAN SUAMI
Why is the rate of a wife's maintenance determined by the husband's means rather than the wife's wants and needs?
Short answer
Maintenance is an obligation of the husband that does not lapse even if the wife is wealthier, as long as she is not nusyuz.
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
Maintenance is an obligation of the husband that does not lapse even if the wife is wealthier, as long as she is not nusyuz. The amount also considers the wife's needs but remains subject to the husband's capacity, since the Shariah does not burden anyone beyond their ability. In the Shafii school, food depends on the husband's means, the number of garments on the wife's needs and their quality on the husband's means, while housing must suit the wife's standing. Spouses are advised to be tolerant and to learn about managing a household.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Tambahan pula, nafkah isteri ialah kewajipan suami yang wajib ditunaikan oleh suami walaupun jika isteri lebih kaya.
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-868: MENGAPA PENENTUAN KADAR NAFKAH MENGIKUT KEMAMPUAN SUAMI”, 10 October 2024. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-hukum/umum/5997-irsyad-hukum-siri-ke-868-mengapa-penentuan-kadar-nafkah-mengikut-kemampuan-suami. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/wife-maintenance-based-on-husband-means/