Question

A husband inherits $10K from his late father. Does the wife of said husband have the right to know about his $10K inheritance?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

At the outset, Islam affords every individual an autonomy in his/her wealth. This affords husband and wife their financial independence, where each person may do whatever he desires with his money. While in the marriage, the husband may have some financial obligations towards the wife in covering expenses, the wife does not have the right to interfere more than what affects her rights.

In the situation wherein a woman is entitled to a portion of the inheritance, she would definitely be allowed to know of it so that she may secure what is her right.

However, in the scenario where she has no portion in the inheritance, then it is not required of the husband to inform her of it, nor does she have a right to demand from it unless the husband chooses by his own volition to inform or gift her.[1]

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

ألا لا تظلموا، إنه لا يحل مال امرء مسلم إلا بطيب نفس منه

“Beware! Do not do injustice. The wealth of a Muslim is not permitted except by his permission and consent.”[2]

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Maulana Tameem Ahmadi
Union City, CA.
U.S.A

Checked and Approved by:

Mufti Faisal bin Abdul Hamīd al-Mahmudi
www.fatwa.ca

[1] ” لا يجوز لأحد أن يتصرّف في ملك غيره الا باذنه…” (شرح مجلّة الأحكام 1/60، مكتبة حنفيه كوئته)

“كلٌ يتصرّف في مِلكه كيف شاء…” (شرح مجلّة الأحكام 1/654، مكتبة حنفيه كوئته

“و لكل واحدٍ منهم أن يتصرّف في حصّته كيفما شاء…” (شرح مجلّة الأحكام 1/643، مكتبة حنفيه كوئته)

[2] مشكاة المصابيح: 1/255: (كتاب البيوع، قديمي كتب خانه)