Husband’s Rights on the Working Wife’s Income (An Economic Study in Islam)

This article investigates the economic dynamics within the marital relationship in Islam, particularly focusing on the husband’s entitlement to his working wife’s income. The purpose is to discern the Islamic perspective on this matter while also elucidating the esteemed status accorded to women in Islam, emphasizing their financial autonomy and protection from financial exploitation. The theoretical framework emphasizes that a wife’s upkeep is an integral right, regardless of her engagement in paid labor. Islam neither coerces nor mandates a woman to work, recognizing the complex responsibilities she already shoulders, such as maternity, education, and household management. The research employs a descriptive, inductive, and analytical approach, presenting various juristic opinions without bias toward any specific school of thought. Findings show that, regardless of a wife’s employment status, the husband is obliged to financially support her, with no right to her earnings without her clear consent. The study postulates that the marital relationship in Islam is established on affection, compassion, and cooperation, as opposed to notions of equality or subjugation. Therefore, it advocates for a cooperative and compassionate society built on stable social and economic bases through cooperative efforts within Muslim households. The article concludes by emphasizing its academic contribution in clarifying the material foundations of spousal relationships in Islam, aiming to foster an integrated, compassionate, and harmonious society, free from division and discord.