Is the husband entitled to his wife’s salary money? – Darul Ma’arif Islamic Boarding School

Darulmaarif.net – Indramayu, May 7, 2025 | 13.00 WIB

In the modern era, many Indonesian women, including housewives, chose to become Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) in order to fight for the family’s economic life. However, not a few of those who actually have to face the harsh reality: their efforts for years have not left, even without the responsibility of the husband.

Then a crucial question arises: Is the husband entitled to the work of the wife? How does Islamic law view the husband’s actions that spend his wife’s property without permission? And can this condition be a legal reason to ask for divorce?

The law of the wife’s property in Islam

In principle, Islam guarantees full ownership rights for women on their wealthboth before and after marriage. This was confirmed by the majority of scholars from various schools, including the Hanafi, Shafi’i, and Hanbali schools. In Al-Mausu ‘The All-Fichiyahah mentioned:

“The majority of legal experts – Hanafi and Shafi’i, and the most correct from Hanbali – continue by saying that adult women have the right to act in their money, by donating, or capturing, whether it is married, or not married.”

Meaning: “Intelligent adult women have the right to fully mentashorruf their wealth, both by means of grant, buying and selling, or others – without having to ask permission from her husband.” (Al-Mausu’ah Al-Fiqhiyyah, 2/9428)

When the husband spends his wife’s money: including tyranny

In this context, if the husband uses money from a wife who works as an Indonesian Migrant Worker (PMI) without permission, or outside the agreementthen it is included in the Kedzaliman category. In fact, if the wife is not willing, the husband must replace it.

As explained in this book Asna Al-Matholib:

… He will not prevent it from that, and if destined to agree with his money … Because if not fulfilled what is above it, the stone does not have it …

Meaning: “The husband must not prevent the wife in using his wealth, even if he is able to support himself.” (Asna Al-Mathalib, Juz 3/441)

Can the wife ask for a divorce?

If the husband is constant Default gives lifeuse the wife’s property without permission, and does not show good faith, then The wife has the right to apply for divorce or fasakh marriage. This was emphasized by Imam Nawawi on Your al-Majmu ‘:

And if he chooses a place with him to bankruptcy and then he must be canceled, then he must be canceled, because the allowance is updated by his needs every day, and it is updated to cancel …

Meaning: “Even though a previous wife was willing to survive with a poor husband or not to support, if then he wanted to separate because he was constantly not getting his rights, then It can ask for divorce. ”

Between the rights of the wife and the integrity of the household

Islam does not encourage divorce without syar’i reasons. However, in cases like this-when the husband ignores the main responsibility and instead abusing the wife’s trust-then the decision to end the marriage can be the best way for the good of the future, including the future of children.

But before that, family advice and mediation are still recommended. If the husband can still change and improve themselves, then maintaining the household is the first choice. But if not, then the wife’s right to maintain her honor and her wealth must be respected.

Conclusion

1. Husband is not entitled to the wife’s property Without clear permission from the wife.
2. Wife has the right to manage her own wealthIncluding the results of efforts as migrant workers.
3. Using the wife’s property without permission including dzolim acts And can be a strong reason to ask for divorce if accompanied by negligence of outward income.
4. Divorce can be hit In an emergency condition, but the priority of deliberations and peace is still prioritized.

Hope it is useful. Wallohu a’lam.