💰 Family finances · #47

One spouse is a spender and the other is very thrifty. How can they find a middle ground?

The Quran itself sets the middle ground: neither wasteful nor stingy, but between the two.
Allah praises His servants who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor miserly, but take a middle course (al-Furqan 25:67), and forbids keeping one's hand chained to one's neck or stretching it out completely (al-Isra' 17:29). Spouses with different habits actually complement each other if they talk. In practice: agree a monthly budget together; set the obligatory categories (maintenance, debt, savings) first; give each spouse a personal allowance that is not questioned; and set a limit, for example purchases above a certain amount are discussed first. The thrifty spouse should remember that stinginess towards one's family is also condemned, and the spender should remember that the wasteful are brothers of the devils (al-Isra' 17:27). See the household budget.

Sources

Surah al-Furqan 25:67Surah al-Isra' 17:29Surah al-Isra' 17:27

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This answer is general reference, not a fatwa. For your situation, consult the religious affairs office, a Syarie lawyer or your state Syariah Court.

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