💰 Family finances · #54
Is a wife obliged to help pay her husband's debts?
No; a husband's debts are his responsibility. If his wife helps, that is a great kindness, and she may decide whether it is charity or a loan to be repaid.
Allah establishes that each person owns what they earn (an-Nisa' 4:32), and debts should be written down clearly (al-Baqarah 2:282). Zaynab, the wife of Ibn Masʿud r.a., asked the Prophet ﷺ whether it was valid to give charity to her poor husband, and he said she would have two rewards: the reward of kinship and the reward of charity (Sahih al-Bukhari 1466). If she gives it as a loan, write down the amount and term. A wife should not be pressured, threatened or made to feel guilty into carrying her husband's debts, including debts from gambling or spending that was never discussed. His debts also do not cancel his obligation of maintenance. See Family finances.
Allah establishes that each person owns what they earn (an-Nisa' 4:32), and debts should be written down clearly (al-Baqarah 2:282). Zaynab, the wife of Ibn Masʿud r.a., asked the Prophet ﷺ whether it was valid to give charity to her poor husband, and he said she would have two rewards: the reward of kinship and the reward of charity (Sahih al-Bukhari 1466). If she gives it as a loan, write down the amount and term. A wife should not be pressured, threatened or made to feel guilty into carrying her husband's debts, including debts from gambling or spending that was never discussed. His debts also do not cancel his obligation of maintenance. See Family finances.
Sources
Surah an-Nisa' 4:32Surah al-Baqarah 2:282Sahih al-Bukhari 1466