Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalam-Alaikum Wa Rehmatuallahi Wa Barakatahu,
 
Brother Burhan,

Regarding the question about wife has right to live in seperate house with husband. What if one cannot afford to have or maintain two houses at the same. Moreover, if one have a widow mother, who cannot live alone and do not have anyone else to live with. In this case, what should a brother do, if his wife ask
for a seperate house and want you to live with her? If she ask for her this right to be implemented or else she will leave.

Thanks in advance for your response.

Allah Knows Best.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Husband cannot afford house for wife

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Q-1: What if one cannot afford to have or maintain two houses at the same.
In the circumstance when the wife exercises her right to separate housing from the husband’s extended family, it is the responsibility of the husband to fulfill this demand of his wife to the best of his ability.

If he absolutely cannot afford to run two separate households, then the husband must make arrangements to at least give the wife a separate room in the house. It would be considered righteousness on the part of the wife to understand the situation of her husband, and not put a burden on the husband more than he can bear, and be patient if the husband cannot even afford to do that.

Q-2: Moreover, if one have a widow mother, who cannot live alone and do not have anyone else to live with. In this case, what should a brother do, if his wife ask for a seperate house and want you to live with her?
If a wife exercises her right to a separate house, and the husband can afford it, he must fulfill this right of his wife. But it is his responsibility that he must, in all humility and politeness, serve his widowed mother. If there is no one to live with his mother, he must provide a servant to serve her; and if that is not possible it is his duty to live with his mother and fulfill her every need, while occasionally visiting his wife and fulfilling all her rights as well.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan