پایگاه اطلاع رسانی آیت الله ابراهیم امینی قدس سره

The Trustee of the House

The Trustee of the House

 

Men are usually the supporters of the family. They work hard and spend their earnings on their wives and children. They regard this as their duty and do not ever show their displeasure in their hardship.

But men also expect their wives to economize and not to spend their money extravagantly. The women are expected to classify the necessities and spend on the priorities such as food, clothes, medicine, rent, electricity, telephone, gas and water bills. Placing such items as luxury goods on the list of one's priorities is regarded as squandering and wasteful. Men do not like their wives to misuse their money in buying unnecessary goods or lavishly spending.

If a man finds his wife trustworthy of caring for his money, if he is sure that his wife does not spend lavishly and if he is certain that his hard earned money is not wasted away he would then work harder and would not waste his money.

On the other hand, if the woman spends the money on her clothes and adornment, or if she spends on unnecessary items and they would have to borrow in order to live, or if the family, like an infidel enemy, plunders his wealth, then the man will become disheartened. He would lose interest in working and supporting his family. He would think it illogical to work and support the people who do not appreciate his efforts. He may even go astray and follow a corrupt path. It might shatter the foundations of the family.

Dear madam! although your husband's money and wealth is at your disposal, do not regard it as your own. The wealth is lawfully his and you are the trusted one. Therefore, taking any item into your possession, giving anything away, presenting or selling any of his belongings needs his permission. You are responsible for his wealth and as such you must protect it. If you shirk your responsibility, you would be questioned in the world Hereafter .

"The Prophet (AS) of Allah stated: 'A woman is the protector and trustee of her husband's wealth and as such is responsible'."[123]

"The Prophet (SA) of Allah also stated: 'The best of your women is one who perfumes herself, prepares delicious food and would not overindulge in spending. Such a woman is a representative of and one of the workforce of Allah, and a person who works for Allah would never be faced with regret or defeat'."[124]

"A woman asked the Prophet (SA) of Allah: 'What are the rights of a husband over his wife?' The Prophet (SA) stated: 'She must be obedient towards him, must not violate his orders and should not give away anything without his permission'."[125]

"The Prophet (SA) of Allah also stated: 'The best of your women is one who spends less'."[126]

[123] Mustadrak, vol 2, p 550
[124] Wasa.il al-Shiah, vol 14, p 15.
[125] Bihar al-Anwar, vol 103, p 248.
[126] Mustadrak, vol 2, p 532.