Amal Muhammad Amin
The spending of women within the family is one of the vital topics that deserves study, given the growing role that women have played in managing the financial affairs of the family, whether they work or run the family budget as a housewife. Spending is no longer a monopoly on the man as it was in the past, but the woman has become an effective partner in securing the needs of the family and achieving their material and psychological stability. One of the most wonderful examples of women’s spending in Islam is what was reported on the companions of Zainab, the wife of Abdullah bin Masoud, may God be pleased with them. Zainab was a good woman, and her husband, Abdullah, was poor, and he had children, and he was not able to spend on them alone.
Zainab came to the Prophet ﷺ and asked him:
“O Prophet of God, you were commanded today to give charity, and I had a jewelry for me, so I wanted to give charity to him, so Abdullah bin Masoud claimed that he and his son are more worthy of those I gave to them.”
The Prophet said to her ﷺ:
“Abdullah’s sincerity, your husband and your son are more worthy of those you gave to them” (Narrated by Al -Bukhari and Muslim).
This story shows how women’s spending on her family is not only material support, but it is a charity that is rewarded for it, and it is part of her message in building family and providing economic security for her. Provided that it is good for the soul and in a manner that does not prejudice the principle of family balance.
It helps to spend women on the family in enhancing their stability, as the family’s ability to cover its basic needs increases and provides the requirements of a decent life. Especially in light of the economic challenges that societies are going through, as well as strengthening the spirit of partnership within the family
The spending of women also devotes the principle of partnership between the spouses, which creates an atmosphere of understanding and mutual respect. The husband does not feel that he bears the burden alone, and the woman feels that she is active in building the future of the family.
By participating in spending, women gain self -confidence and become more able to make financial decisions that benefit the family, such as planning for the future, investing in teaching children or buying assets.
The woman’s ability to spend in improving the standard of living within the family contributes, whether in terms of food quality, education, health care, or even entertainment, which enhances the stability and well -being of the family.
Among the most important negative effects of women’s spending on the family is the imbalance of roles and responsibilities, as the excessive spending of a woman may lead or bear the greatest financial burden to a change in balance within the family, which may generate feelings of tension or weakness among the husband, especially if he feels that he lost his traditional role as a basic tendency.
Sometimes a woman’s spending on her family represents a psychological burden as she works and spends on her family, and this exposes her to severe psychological pressure that negatively affects her health and relationship with family members.
Also, it is necessary to alert at times, excessive spending by a woman may lead to an imbalance in the family budget, especially if there is no joint financial planning.
From here, the importance of dialogue and financial understanding between the spouses is highlighted, and the development of a joint financial plan that takes into account the income of the two parties and the needs of the family, and achieves a balance that guarantees a stable and sustainable family life.
