Q1) If a husband buys the normal groceries in the house and then of course the toiletries as well, does he still have to give the wife Nafaqah?
A1) The needs of the wife will refer to her basic needs according to the norm of society. Some of the jurists have stipulated seven things, namely roti or bread, curry, items required for her adornment and beautification, clothing, necessary furniture and goods of the house, accommodation, and if the wife is from such a family that has access to a domestic, then a helper. [Re: Fataawa Uthmaaniyyah Vol:6 Pg:391] To give her spending money is not part of her Nafaqah. If he gives her anything over and above her basic Nafaqah such as cash, then she will become the owner of it and may use it as she wishes. [Re: Fataawa Uthmaaniyyah Vol:6 Pg:414]
Q2) If a wife, according to the husband, is rude, does that mean that he can now stop giving Nafaqah?
A2) Being rude is not a valid reason for withholding Nafaqah from the wife. [Re: Fataawa Uthmaaniyyah Vol:6 Pg:389]
Q3) If the husband gives her money randomly, is that regarded as him giving Nafaqah? For example, this month he’ll give her, then again after 3 months, and then maybe in 6 months etc.
A3) If he gives her money for her household expenses, then it will be considered as her monthly Nafaqah. This should be such an amount by which her basic needs as outlined in #1 are fulfilled for 3 months or 6 months (if he is giving her an amount every 3 months or every 6 months). The money will be considered as Amaanat and must be used according to the desire of the husband. [Re: Fataawa Uthmaaniyyah Vol:6 Pg:410]
Q4) What exactly should he be providing for her apart from Nafaqah?
A4) This has been explained above in #1.
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Maulana Ahmed Saeed
Date: 30 Safar 1446 / 04 September 2024
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb
