Men are the natural breadwinners and providers. At marriage, men give their wives Dowries as a gift and a token of love.
This is considered a duty in Islam, (Q4:4). Likewise, it is established that it’s the responsibility of the husband to provide all financial needs for their wives, including feeding, clothing, shelter and medical expenses. “Men are protectors and maintainers of women…)”Q4:34.
These duties of protection, provision and direction are the primary roles of men in marriage.
Regular source of finance is an essential of marriage. “But let them who find not [the means for] marriage abstain [from sexual relations] until Allāh enriches them from His bounty… “(Q24:32). This underscores why Sharia (Islamic law) gives a male in inheritance twice the share of a female. (Q4:11). His finance still generally goes back to the female.
It is unethical for a man to persistently demand money from his wife or to rule that the wife MUST bear some of the family expenses. Such a man will lose his honour and may not be able to lead the family effectively. Taking good care of wife is an act of worship in Islam and one of the secrets of prosperity and happiness.
However, it is not advisable that unmarried women look down on upright men who cannot obviously shoulder all the financial responsibilities at the moment. Most righteous men are financially struggling because they do not want to eat Haram, and good jobs are scarce. It is righteous men righteous women will want to marry. Therefore, be ready to struggle with them if you really need the marriage. It’s now obvious to many women that waiting to find that PERFECT man is to their disadvantage. Time changes and evolves. Given the current economic reality, many youth cannot meet all the financial needs of marriage. Don’t hesitate to marry a righteous and HARDWORKING man even if he earns less than you or less than your expectations. If you cannot have it all, do not leave it all. After hardship comes ease.
Good and secure jobs are not readily available for most youth after graduation and at the time when most girls are already ripe to be taken by them. Besides, women now aggressively compete with men in the workforce. Jobs that would enable men, who are the natural breadwinners, to take care of wives and children are now shared with women or completely taken up by them.
It’s better to live with a righteous man and support each financially to have a good family than remain single_ prone to temptation and abuse. Marriage is about friendship and partnership. The children are for both of you. Investing in them is investing in your future. Any of the couple that’s capable can do it. If your husband is no more, won’t you fend for the children?
In places where costs of living are high, men may not be able to bear all family expenses and still be the available and strong husbands that every woman wants.
Married women whose husbands are in a hard time should never look down on their husbands or nag for the only reason that they help out their husbands. Who is better supported with their wealth, if they have, other than their beloved husbands?
Where is humanity if the man spends his all on the family and the wife spends only on luxury? And where is dignity if the man who has is stingy to his wife?
It’s better to live with a righteous man with low income than being unmarried and being reduced to a public property_ used and dumbed by selfish men.
It’s better to live with a man with low income and supported by wife than having a man who works all day because of the family and ends up being an unavailable husband and absentee father.
It’s better to live peacefully and contentedly with a righteous man with low income than being a widow or single mother whose nagging, ranting and trouble had sent the man to the grave or sent him away.
When the Prophet (SAW) once encouraged women to give in charity, Zaynab, the wife of the learned companion-Abdullah bin Mas’ood informed her husband of her desire to pay her Zakat. Ibn Mas’ood told her he was the most deserving of her charity, given his condition at the time. Upon enquiry, the Prophet confirmed that Ibn Mas’ood was right. And that Zaynab’s reward will be in two ways: giving in charity and keeping good relation with her husband. Men, please appreciate your wives for their support in cash and kind, and give them your attention.
Some contend that men think of taking more wife when they become comfortable. Not all men do. Besides, responsible men would be just and rather marry more wife when they are capable instead of indulging in adultery and infidelity. Which is better?Whichever, Allah has allowed (not commanded) polygyny, and women are greatly rewarded for their cooperation and patience. Your sacrifices which are done for the sake of Allah can never go in vain. Good begets good.
If the wife is working, her husband is the best she supports from her income, especially if he couldn’t afford it all. In this case, the husband needs to be grateful and tolerant if some of her duties at home are affected due to her work which is necessary to augment the husband’s earnings.
Whether a wife is earning or not, she should be prudent and content with whatever the husband provides. She should appreciate, encourage and pray for her husband. Everyone has a story to tell. Challenges of life should not divest us of our humanity and honour.
Nonetheless, the sacrifices of the woman may go in vain if she becomes disobedient and boastful because of her financial support to the family.
Mother Khadija was older and richer than the Prophet; she was yet supportive and very submissive. When husband is well respected, the wife gets better protected.
May Allah bless our homes and grant us happiness and righteousness.
* Guest writer: Dr. Sheikh Ridwan Jamiu, Chief Imam, Lekki Central Mosque, Lekki, Lagos
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Eid Khutbah: Sheikh Shafi’i calls for compassion, unity, and global Muslim solidarity
* Berates Muslim world’s silence over Gaza genocide
Muslims gathered in large numbers today, Friday June 6 at The Muslim Congress (TMC) praying ground – Da’wah Centre, to observe the Eid-al-Adha prayer, with Imam Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shafi’i, the Grand Mufti of Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO) leading the congregational salat and delivering a soul-stirring khutbah that touched on compassion in sacrifice, family unity, moral conduct, and the global plight of Muslims, particularly in Gaza.
In his sermon which was streamed by this medium on its official Facebook page, Sheikh Shafi’i reminded Muslims of the Sunnah regarding the slaughtering of sacrificial animals, stating that it is best for the owner to carry out the act themselves, provided they know how and are not overly compassionate to do so.
“Nonetheless,” he added, “We must treat the animals with kindness. Ensure the knife is very sharp, and never display it in front of the animal before the act.”
He emphasised the spiritual and social significance of Eid, urging Muslims to foster love within their families and promote unity among the wider Muslim community. “This is a period of joy and celebration, but that joy should not lead us into sin. We must shun all forms of haram enjoyment and uphold our values even during festivities,” he said.
Addressing a common concern, the Grand Mufti of the CIO encouraged Muslims who had observed the Eid prayer in the morning to also attend the Jumu’ah prayer, despite the difference of opinions among scholars on the topic when Eid coincides with a Friday.
“Though some scholars opine that after observing the Eid prayer, one can offer salat dhur in place of Jumu’ah, which should be done individually and not in congregation, however, the most profound among the majority of scholars is to attend Jumu’ah,” he advised.
Touching on the state of the Nigerian Muslim Ummah, the Imam decried the persistent disunity among Muslims in the country. “We are blessed,” he said.
“Nigerian Muslims have wealth and influence, yet we suffer due to a lack of empathy and unity. If we truly love one another, many of our challenges would be solved.”
The respected Muslim scholar used the platform to passionately raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
He condemned the atrocities being committed against Palestinians by Zionist forces and criticised the global Muslim leadership for failing to take a firm stand.
“The Muslim world must rise for Palestine,” he declared. “Donate, boycott the products of the oppressors, and use your social media platforms to create awareness. Expose the hypocrisy of world powers, particularly the recent U.S. veto at the United Nations that continues to empower the genocide in Gaza.”
He also made a strong call to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to recall Nigeria’s ambassador to Israel and expel Israel’s envoy from the country in protest of the ongoing atrocities.
In a message directed at Muslim women, Sheikh Shafi’i reminded them of their noble status in Islam. “The Prophet (SAW) always addressed the women in his sermons, emphasising their role in nurturing homes and building strong nations. Our sisters must uphold chastity and dress with dignity as Islam commands.”
The Eid Khutbah ended with the symbolic slaughtering of a sacrificial animal, in line with the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
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