- Chapter: Spending on One’s Dependents
Allah the Exalted says, “And upon the father of the child lies their provision and clothing, in accordance with what is proper” (al-Baqarah 2:233). He also says, “Let a man of ample means spend according to his means; and whoever is limited in resources, let him spend out of what Allah has given him. Allah does not burden any soul beyond what He has bestowed upon it” (at-Talāq 65:7). And He says, “Say: ‘Indeed, my Lord enlarges provision for whom He wills among His servants and restricts it. Whatever you spend of anything, He will replace it, and He is the best of providers’” (Sabaʾ 34:39).
[Commentary]
The author, may Allah have mercy on him, entitles this section “Spending on One’s Dependents.”
Dependents (al-ʿiyāl) are those a person supports—wife, relative, or servant. The rights of the wife have already been discussed. As for relatives, they, too, possess a rightful claim. Allah the Exalted says, “Worship Allah, associate nothing with Him, and be good to parents and near relatives” (an-Nisāʾ 4:36).
Thus every relative has the right to be maintained—that is, to be given food, drink, clothing, and housing sufficient for his needs. Allah the Exalted states, “And upon the father of the child lies their provision and clothing, in accordance with what is proper” (al-Baqarah 2:233). “The father of the child” is the one on whom this duty falls: he must spend on his children, his wives, and even on a wet nurse who breast-feeds his child, even if she is not his wife, for Allah has said, “And upon the father of the child lies their provision and clothing, in accordance with what is proper,” because of the breastfeeding. If she is already his wife, she merits maintenance by virtue of the marital bond in any case.