If a Family Lives in a Western Country That Pays Benefits to Families Even When They — Jurisprudential Answers — Miscellaneous Issues, Vol. 2

Ahmed al-Hasan Response:

The wife's benefit belongs to her, and she may do with it whatever she wishes. The husband has no right to question her about it, and her maintenance does not cease to be obligatory upon him; rather, he must maintain her. The benefits paid for minor children belong to them. The father may administer their expenditure for them, and he must make up any shortfall in their maintenance. This is the religious ruling. May God grant you success and set your affairs right. I ask you to deal with one another with mercy, affection, and reconciliation. You are a family, a husband and wife; you are not a commercial company for your dealings to be purely material. The husband should fulfill his duty toward his wife and children with love and contentment, and the wife should be kind, affectionate, and forgiving toward her husband. I believe that in most cases a woman can build her family and home and earn her husband's contentment through calmness and a kind word, and thereby earn God's pleasure. In general, even if the husband behaves badly or falls short toward his family, the wife can deal with him with kindness and mercy and seek through this the pleasure of God, Glorified and Exalted, first and last. What is with God remains and grows, God willing, and you will see its fruit in this world and the Hereafter.