Download PDF: [S] Wives Spending in Charity

It is reported that once, during the era of Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him, he sent a bag of Dirhams to Ummul Mo’mineen, Sayyidah Saudah -may Allah be pleased with her. When she saw what was inside, she said, “How strange is a bag which is used to carry dates, also used to carry Dirhams?” After saying this, she then distributed all of these Dirhams to the poor and destitute of Madina Shareef. She continued to do this until all the Dirhams were spent. (Usaabah, 8/118)

 

This was the result of the blessed company of the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. None of the blessed wives of the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – ever wanted to hoard money in their blessed houses. As soon as any monies or any items arrived, they immediately gave it away which would be saved as Barakah for the Hereafter. They did not even think of keeping anything for themselves and neither did they concern themselves with tomorrow. In other words, they had this complete trust in Allah Almighty that as He has provided for them today, He would provide for them tomorrow. In this manner, they gave a global lesson to our Muslims sisters on the merits of giving charity and Sadqah.

 

We should also endeavour to give away as much as we can in charity. As a matter of fact, there is also a Hadith Shareef of the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – in which he has stated that, “O females! Give as much charity as possible. The reason is that I have seen (that the people of Hell are mostly) women.” When he was asked the reason for this, he replied that, “It is because you blame and accuse (each other in abundance) are also (mostly) ungrateful to (your) husbands”. (Bukhaari Mukhtasar)

 

Another important point that should be borne in mind by females is that they are not allowed to spend the wealth of their husbands without permission. There is a Hadith Shareef reported by Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Umaamah – may Allah be pleased with him – that on the occasion of Hujjatul Wida the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – declared in the Khutbah, “A female is not allowed to spend from the house of her husband without permission.” (Tirmidhi Shareef)

 

But if the husband does not restrict her and neither does he have any problem with her giving a certain item away and this charity is also the same amount which is normally given, then permission is not required in this instance. This has also been explained in the Sharah of this Hadith Shareef.

 

The Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – has stated that, “Whatever food is in the house; if a female gives some of this away, not with the intention of wasting, then she will be rewarded for this and there will also be reward in the sustenance of the husband.”

 

When you help someone, it is also necessary to see that the person is actually someone who is entitled for this help. As for those who are considered as professional beggars and who have made this as their trade, one should not give these people any money. At this same time, if one gives someone like this any help, then he will also encourage the person and this itself is considered a sin.

 

It is recommended that one searches for one’s poor and needy relative. At the same time, when help is given to such people, it should be done very privately. One should give them help in such a manner that the entire family does not become aware of this. If done on the contrary, the reward will also be destroyed.

 

The person who you are helping should not be given the impression that you are doing him a special favour. Allah Almighty declares in Surah Baqarah (2), verse 264:

 

یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا لَا تُبْطِلُوۡا صَدَقٰتِکُمۡ بِالْمَنِّ وَالۡاَذٰیۙ کَالَّذِیۡ یُنۡفِقُ مَالَہٗ رِئَآءَ النَّاسِ وَلَا یُؤْمِنُ بِاللہِ وَالْیَوْمِ الۡاٰخِرِؕ فَمَثَلُہٗ کَمَثَلِ صَفْوَانٍ عَلَیۡہِ تُرَابٌ فَاَصَابَہٗ وَابِلٌ فَتَرَکَہٗ صَلْدًاؕ لَا یَقْدِرُوۡنَ عَلٰی شَیۡءٍ مِّمَّا کَسَبُوۡاؕ وَاللہُ لَا یَہۡدِی الْقَوْمَ الْکٰفِرِیۡنَ﴿۲۶۴﴾

 

“O People who Believe! Do not invalidate your charity by expressing favour and causing injury – like one who spends his wealth for people to see, and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day; his example is similar to that of a rock covered with dust and hard rain fell on it, leaving it as a bare rock; they shall get no control over (or benefit from) anything they have earned; and Allah does not guide the disbelievers.”

 

If there is no one like this in the family, then one should search for needy people in the neighbourhood and help that person. In this manner, your help and charity will become reward that will be saved for you in the Hereafter.

 

We make Du’a that Allah Almighty give us the strength to spend in His path and also give us the strength to remember the laws of Shari’ah in our activities. Ameen.