A26-This question has remained most popular and debateable throughout the annals of history, and it has gained prominence in the 21st century when an open clash between supporters of each school of thought is becoming more potent. So, it is pertinent to examine the glorious Koran on this subject and see how Allah Almighty (the Creator of both the sexes) address this issue based on His eternal wisdom. I will try to provide a holistic perspective on this matter to comprehend the essence of this question. Besides, I will restrict to the fundamentals to keep the monologue focussed and summarised for better understanding. Before proceeding further we must understand that both males and females are the same specie that is called Homo Sapiens or mankind.

Generic Sense

The first comparison is based on generics of a male and a female. This difference is highlighted in the glorious Koran in the following words.

‘’Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, as God has given some of them an advantage over others, and because they spend out of their wealth.’’ (4:34)

This verse highlights the following facts.

1 Men or males are the protectors and maintainers of women or females because Allah Almighty has given an advantage to them in physical terms. This truth is evident in our day to day lives. Females who are a physically delicate and a timid sex cannot protect itself without the help of a male member (whether a father, brother, husband or a son). Besides, as a member of the household male members are physically stronger to perform certain tasks that require more physical strength.

2 Men or males generally spend their wealth on females that is their spouses. By and large this is the truth, and it rarely happens that a male member is financially dependent upon his spouse. This truth is reinforced in verse 4 of chapter 4 in the following words: ‘’Give women their dowries graciously. But if they willingly forego some of it, then consume it with enjoyment and pleasure.’’ (4:4), So even in a marriage it is the male’s responsibility to offer a marriage gift to the wife and not vice versa.

History bears witness to this fact that due to physical advantage of a male person all prophets, messengers, conquerors, warriors, and, leaders, were men. Even in the modern world when a lot of argument is going on about gender equality, the natural distinction between men and women is clear in different roles and job categories.

So, the truth is that male and females are two distinct subspecies of mankind in terms of their physical appearances, their reproductive organs, their physical strength, their emotional behavior, and so on. Therefore, if we take into account the physical and financial roles as the parameters, then by and large males have an advantage over the females.

As members of the proliferation process

The history of mankind starts with the creation of Adam PBUH who was a male. However, since in Allah’s eternal wisdom Adam PBUH alone could not serve the larger purpose of human life and its growth on earth, therefore, the mate (who was a female) was also created to make the couple a unified part of the household. This fact is highlighted in verse 189 of chapter 7 of the glorious Koran in the following words.

‘’It is He who created you from a single person, and made from it its mate, that he may find comfort with her. Then, when he has covered her, she conceives a light load, and she carries it around. But when she

has grown heavy, they pray to God their Lord, “if You give us a good child, we will be among the thankful.” (7:189)

This verse proves the following points.

1 The origin of mankind started from a single person who was a male and his name was Adam PBUH. The name Adam is mentioned in the glorious Koran in 17:61, 18:50 and 20:116.

2 The mate (who was a female) was created out of Adam PBUH, and her title was ZOJA or wife as mentioned in 2:35, 7:19 and 20:117. I may add that the name Hawa or Eve is never mentioned in the glorious Koran, and it is an imported name from biblical stories.

3 The purpose of creating the female mate was that Adam PBUH may find comfort in her company and produce offspring.

Male and female at par to produce offspring

Therefore, male and female are two integral parts of a household, and their union is a must for the birth of an offspring and proliferation of the family. So, from this perspective both male and female are at par with each other because singlehandedly neither of them can produce an offspring (even for artificial insemination the sperm of a male is required).

Spiritual Realm

We also need to keep in mind that the primary purpose for the creation of mankind is that they might worship Allah Almighty as explained in verse 56 of chapter 5 in the following words.

‘’I did not create the jinn and the humans except to worship Me. (51:56)

So, the most pertinent question will be whether Allah Almighty distinguish between males and females based on their sexes while granting His favors in this life and in the hereafter. The answer to this question is beautifully explained in verse 97 of chapter 16 in the following words.

‘’Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while being a believer, We will grant him a good life—and We will reward them according to the best of what they used to do.’’ (16:97)

This verse confirms the following facts.

1 Allah Almighty does not discriminate between sexes when it comes to rewarding a soul.

2 This reward is based on strict monotheism and good deeds alone.

So, in spiritual terms whether somebody is a male or a female, his or her sex does not give an advantage before Allah Almighty. The reward from Allah Almighty is based on leading a life as a strict monotheist and striving to do good deeds and avoiding bad deeds.

Testimony in Financial matters

The financial matters are complicated, and they generally fall within the domain of male members of the society. So, when it comes to be a witness in a financial matter the glorious Koran gives an advantage to a male member over a female member as explained in verse 282 of chapter 2 of the glorious Koran in the following words.

‘’But if the debtor is mentally deficient, or weak, or unable to dictate, then let his guardian dictate with honesty. And call to witness two men from among you. If two men are not available, then one man and two women whose testimony is acceptable to all—if one of them fails to remember, the other would remind her. (2:282)

This verse only confirms the fact that since contents of a financial deed is a complex matter and females may be less interested in it, therefore, the testimony of two female witnesses may equate with a male’s testimony. This verse has got nothing to do with the intelligence level of a male or a female in day-to-day life because there are several matters where females may be more interested and knowledgeable while there are several matters where male members may be interested and knowledgeable. This is common observation that humans (whether a male or a female) rarely ignore matters of personal interest.

Morality and ethics

Glorious Koran puts great emphasis on morality and ethics because it is the binding force of a society. A society that is devoid of morality and ethics is bound to disintegrate and degenerate into an anarchy. Therefore, the glorious Koran proclaims similar standards of morality and ethics for both male and female members of the society as explained in the following verses of the glorious Koran.

The punishment for theft and adultery is the same for both male and a female. Verse 38 of chapter 5 reads:

‘’As for the thief, whether male or female, cut their hands as a penalty for what they reaped—a deterrent from God. God is Mighty and Wise. (5:38)

Similarly verse 2 of chapter 24 reads:

‘’The adulteress and the adulterer—whip each one of them a hundred lashes and let no pity towards them overcome you regarding God’s Law, if you believe in God and the Last Day. (24:2)

Similarly same standards are proclaimed for males and females regarding modesty in life. Verses 30 and 31 of chapter 24 read:

‘’Tell the believing men to restrain their looks, and to guard their privates.’’ (24:30)

‘’And tell the believing women to restrain their looks, and to guard their privates.’’ (24:31)

Finally, same commands for both males and females about human behavior as explained in verse 11 of chapter 49 in the following words.

‘’O you who believe! No people shall ridicule other people, for they may be better than they. Nor shall any women ridicule other women, for they may be better than they. Nor shall you slander one another,

or insult one another with names.’’ (49:11)

So, in the realm of morality and ethics, the glorious Koran does not distinguish between a male and a female. Both are treated equally without any advantage or a disadvantage.

Inheritance

Inheritance is a very matter as described in the glorious Koran because it results in distribution of wealth between members of the household on the death of a parent. Verse 11 of chapter 4 reads:

‘’God instructs you regarding your children: The male receives the equivalent of the share of two females.’’ (4:11)

So, in the distribution of inheritance wealth a male member is given a double share that of a female member. This advantage to a male member is presumably based on the fact that ultimately, he is responsible for running the family, while a female member will club her wealth with her husband who in turn has got a double share from his family. So, ultimately, the family as a unit will have the proportion of collective wealth.

Conclusion

So in the light of the wisdom provided by the glorious Koran the following facts may be concluded.

1 Male and a female are two integral parts of the same household.

2 Their union is a precondition for the growth and proliferation of mankind.

3 Males have certain advantages over the females in physical and emotional terms.

4 Spiritually, morally, and ethically both are treated at par before Allah Almighty.

5 Finally, they both complement each other and individually they are devoid of the essence of life.

A35- Many Muslims are confused about the fact whether they can donate their organs or not. Some hold the view that it is permissible, while others believe that it is forbidden in Islam. Both schools of thought advance their own arguments in support of their claims. However, we need to analyse this question in the light of wisdom provided by the glorious Koran.

Before we examine the relevant verses of the glorious Koran on this topic, the foremost question is why people donate their organs and on what occasions. Well there could be varied reasons and separate occasions for this act.

Reasons for donating an organ

First, we look into the reasons for donating an organ. Broadly speaking there are three probable reasons for which a person may donate his or her organs.

1-Donating an organ to save a family member’s life, such as, a spouse or a child.

2-Donating an organ to save a stranger’s life on humanitarian grounds.

2-Donating an organ to get money from this transaction, although, the final recipient is always a human being who is in need of this organ, and he or she can pay for it.

The Intermediary

However, the role of an intermediary may become questionable and condemnable if the intermediary is buying an organ at a lower price and selling it at an inflated price to earn super normal profits. This intermediary is definitely a sinner in the sight of Allah because he or she is indulging in the sin of RIBA that is multiplying his wealth many times over from a trading activity. However, if the price charged to the recipient only includes an element of reasonable service fee for finding a donor and administering the whole process, then it may be permissible, provided the whole process is clearly explained to both the donor and the recipient of the organ. Since it is a trading activity, therefore, it must be free from RIBA and exploitation of all types. As the glorious Koran states

‘’You who believe, do not wrongfully consume each other’s wealth but trade by mutual consent.’’ (4:29)

Occasions when an organ may be donated

Broadly speaking there can be two occasions when somebody may donate his or her organ.

1-During one’s lifetime when a person may donate his or her organ to save somebody’s life, such as, donating one kidney or portion of a liver to save a person’s life.

2-Making a will during one’s lifetime that after his or her death, certain organs like heart, liver, kidneys, or lungs may be donated.

So, it is clear that the purpose of donating a human organ is primarily to save a human life whether donation is free of cost, or somebody charges a price for it. It is also a commonsense observation that the donor should be a healthy person and donating an organ may not pose any risk to his or her life.

Now let us examine the glorious Koran to understand whether the act of donating a human organ is permissible or not. The glorious Koran in verse 32 of chapter 5 highlights the importance of saving a human life in the following words.

‘’And if anyone saved a person, it is as if he saved the whole of mankind.’’ (5:32)

So, in the sight of Allah Almighty saving a human being’s life is tantamount to saving the whole mankind. The obvious reason may be that one human being may be a source of a long lineage in the years and centuries to come as a parent, grandparent, and great grandparent and so on. This becomes more pronounced if the recipient of the organ is a young person and he or she is going to bear children after receiving the organ and getting a healthy life. Consequently, we can say with certainty that if a human being donates his or her organ to save a human life, it is a commendable act in the sight of Allah Almighty. Let me explain it further. Suppose a person does not donate his organs then after his death his organs will decompose in a fairly short span of time, and they will become part of the earth. On the contrary, if he or she donates a healthy organ that will save a human life for many years to come. So, from logical point of view, donating a healthy organ whether through a will or during one’s lifetime is a noble act.

However, the critics of this approach, cite another verse of the glorious Koran to prove that donating a human organ is a Satanic act. This verse is 119 of chapter 4 that reads:

“And I will prompt them to alter the creation of God.” Whoever takes Satan as a lord, instead of God, has surely suffered a profound loss.’’ (4:119)

This verse has an entirely different context. It highlights the fact that if human beings alter creation of God under the influence of Satan for an evil purpose, then it is a great sin. There could be numerous examples of it, such as, changing one’s sex for pleasure-seeking, or changing the size and shape of physical organs of a human being for fun and lust, etc. Such alterations always have negative physical consequences upon a person’s health. To cut it short, it is the intention that will determine whether the act is Satanic or pious. Since donating an organ is to save a human life, therefore, it cannot be construed as a Satanic act, because the glorious Koran has confirmed in verse 119 of chapter 4 that saving a human life is a commendable act in the sight of Allah Almighty.

This is probably one of the most pertinent questions for every Muslim family in the 21st century. It is based on the fact that in many Muslim families, younger generations are getting disillusioned from their religion and turning either as an atheist or becoming indifferent towards their faith. In order to understand the dynamics of this phenomenon, we need to classify Muslim families into three groups, the orthodox, the moderates and the liberals. Empirical evidence suggests that the rate of disillusionment is highest amongst the younger generations of orthodox and liberal Muslim families, followed by the moderate group.

The primary reason for this disillusionment is the contradiction between principles of Islam as they are enunciated in the glorious Koran and the practices of Muslims. This contradiction leads many younger generation Muslims to believe that something is wrong with the faith of Islam as they see it through the practical actions of Muslims. Very few will find time to read the glorious Koran to understand the follies of Muslim ummah. Instead, they blame Islam as a defective religion because in their sight Islam is what is practiced by majority of Muslims and not what is written in the glorious Koran.

It could be a long list of contradictions but for simplicity and easy comprehension, I have divided them into the following five categories.

1-Polytheistic Practices: The 1st reason is the polytheistic practices that are in vogue amongst many Muslim sects. This may include worshipping and praising the Prophet, the Imams, the saints, and graves of dead persons through various means. Believing that saints and prophet can intercede on their behalf on the judgment day and protect them from hellfire and so on. When younger generation see all this in Islam that claim to be a monotheistic religion, they get disillusioned that how Islam is different from Christianity, Hinduism, and other polytheistic religions on this account. About polytheism, the clear message of the glorious Koran is provided in verse 48 of chapter 4 in the following words.

‘’Allah does not forgive the joining of partners with Him: anything less than that He forgives to whoever He will, but anyone who joins partners with Allah has concocted a tremendous sin.’’ (4:48)

This message is reinforced in a different style in verse 102 of chapter 18 in the following words.

‘’Did they think that they could take My servants as masters instead of Me? We have prepared Hell as the disbelievers’ resting place.’’ (18:102)

Then in verse 19 of chapter 39 Allah asks Muhammad PBUH that if Allah has decreed someone to hell fire can you protect him.

‘’What about someone who has deserved the sentence of punishment? Is it you who can save those in the Fire?’’ (39:19)

This is a challenge from Allah Almighty that when Allah has decreed someone to hell fire then even a messenger cannot save that person. It is an eye opener for those persons who believe that prophet Muhammad PBUH will save them from hellfire against Allah’s wish.

So, any type of a polytheistic practice through which servants of Allah are glorified and revered like a god is an unpardonable sin in the sight of Allah and the abode of such polytheists is hell where they will be confined forever.

2-Ignoring Koran and preferring hadith: The second factor is ignoring the glorious Koran and giving preference to hadith over it. Unfortunately, majority of the Muslims of almost every sect blindly follow hadith developed by the propagandists of their sect. It will not be wrong to say that there is a proliferation of hadith during the 21st century through the social media. When young persons see the apparent contradictions in the message of hadith and the verses of the glorious Koran, many of them get disillusioned from the Islamic faith. I will upload another monologue highlighting the contradictions in hadith and the message of the glorious Koran. The glorious Koran confirms that its message is comprehensive from all perspectives, leaving no room for any hadith, yet majority of Muslims prefer manmade hadith over the glorious Koran. For example, verse 89 of chapter 17 reads:

‘’In this Quran, We have set out all kinds of examples for mankind, yet most of them persist in disbelieving.’’ (17:89)

The glorious Koran condemns all manmade hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad PBUH in categoric words. For example, verse 6 of chapter 31 reads:

‘’Among the people is he who trades in distracting hadith; intending, without knowledge, to lead away from God’s way, and to make a mockery of it. These will have a humiliating punishment. (31:6)

This warning is reiterated in verses 6 to 8 of chapter 45 in the following words.

“These are God’s Verses which We recite to you in truth. In which HADITH, after God and His revelations, will they believe? Woe to every sinful liar. Who hears God's revelations being recited to him, yet he persists arrogantly, as though he did not hear them? Announce to him a painful punishment.” (45:6-8)

On the judgment day when Allah Almighty will inform Prophet Muhammad PBUH that majority of your people deserted the Koran in their lives, he will agree with this truth revealed by Allah Almighty as verse 30 of chapter 25 reads:

‘’And the messenger will say: O my Lord! certainly my people deserted this Koran’’. (25:30)

So, it is an eye-opener for followers of hadith.

3-Sectarianism: Another factor is the division of Muslims into different sects, killing and condemning each other. These sects are the outcome of politically motivated literature also called hadith that has been developed over a period of centuries by the propagandists of each sect. Each sect is condemning the other sect, and, in many cases, they have fought bloody battles and wars to promote their political ideology. Even in the 21st century, more Muslims have killed each other on sectarian basis than the number of Muslims being killed by the non-Muslims. This tug of war between different sects of Muslims have disillusioned a large number of young members of these sects. The glorious Koran clearly commands that after receiving message of scriptures like the Koran, there is no room for any sect based or politically motivated man-made literature or hadith. Verse 105 of chapter 3 confirms it in the following words.

‘’Do not be like those who, after they have been given clear revelation, split into factions and fall into disputes: a terrible punishment awaits such people.’’ (3:105)

So, if all Muslims only follow and seek guidance from the glorious Koran and reject all man-made hadith falsely attributed to Prophet Muhammad PBUH, there will be no sects in Islam and Muslims will become a true Muslim Ummah as it is envisaged in the glorious Koran.

4-Religious leaders as Traders: Another factor is the greedy and negative role of the religious leaders who amass wealth through unfair means by dividing Muslims into different sects, pleading that their followers will go into the Paradise. However, while being amassing wealth, they preach a simple lifestyle to their poor followers. These double standards disillusion many young Muslims. Regarding the fate of these greedy religious leaders the glorious Koran cite examples of rabbis of Judaism in verse 34 and 35 of chapter 9 in the following words.

‘’Believers, many rabbis and monks wrongfully consume people’s possessions and turn people away from God’s path, tell those who hoard gold and silver instead of giving in God’s cause that they will have a grievous punishment: on the Day it is heated up in Hell’s Fire and used to brand their foreheads, sides, and backs, they will be told, ‘This is what you hoarded up for yourselves! Now feel the pain of what you hoarded!’’ (9:34-35)

I will upload a separate monologue on the negative role of religious leaders and how they have tarnished the image of Islam, lured people towards polytheism, and promoted sectarianism to amass wealth and divide the society.

5-Ignoring education and knowledge: The final factor is lack of interest of Muslims in learning and acquiring knowledge. When the younger generation of Muslims compare growth of education and learning amongst non-Muslims and its complete absence amongst the Muslims, they get frustrated and disillusioned. Besides, they also see that ignorant Muslims condemn the western culture but prefer to use all inventions of the western culture without any remorse or shame. However, the very first revelation from Allah Almighty highlighted the importance of knowledge and learning in verse 3 to 5 of chapter 96 in the following words.

‘’Read: And your Lord is the Most Generous. He who taught by the pen. Taught man what he never knew.’’ (96:3-5)

So, why did Muslims forget this message of the glorious Koran. The answer is blind following or prevalence of theory of Taqlid amongst a large segment of Muslim community.

Conclusion: Therefore, the contradictions amongst the Muslim Society are the most potent factor that have disillusioned a large number of young Muslims who cannot live with these double standards. However, instead of reading the glorious Koran and finding an honorable way for them, they prefer to leave religion aside and enjoy life to its full extent.

One final question may be what the fate of both categories of Muslims will be, that is the instigators and the rebellious. The glorious Koran confirms on numerous occasions that a person who leads someone towards an evil act will also share part of the sin of the evil doer. So, both categories of Muslims those whose wrong actions disillusioned other Muslims from Islam and those who get disillusioned will suffer on this account.

Many Muslim theologians under the influence of women empowerment hold the view that a wife is not bound to share her income and wealth with her husband. Consequently, no husband can ask her wife to contribute towards household expenses if she possesses personal wealth or she is earning income from a trade or employment. However, this view is neither practical nor supported by the wisdom provided by the glorious Koran. From a practical perspective we know that in the majority of cases, whether it is western society or eastern society, both husband and wife contribute towards household expenses as well as household chores to enjoy a good quality of life. The following practical example will corroborate this fact.

Practical Implications

The primary duty of a wife is to manage household affairs while a husband is responsible to earn income to manage the household expenses. Now suppose that the wife starts earning something either voluntarily or to improve her quality of life. Naturally she will be doing some business activity or employment whether from home or going outside. Now when wife is also involved in some business activity or a job to earn, it is natural that she cannot focus on household activities like a housewife who is staying at home. Naturally, then some of the household activities will be compromised. In this situation either the husband has to perform those household chores, or they have to hire somebody to do it. Now if the wife earns money and insists that neither she is going to share her income as a contribution towards household expenses to improve quality of life nor she will look after the home like a homemaker, it will be an unequitable and unjust demand and no prudent husband will allow it. Rather, the husband will stop her from working. So, those guys who insist that a wife’s income or wealth is exclusively for her, and husband has no right to ask for contribution, are misguiding people both from religious and worldly perspectives. We know that even after their death each husband and wife share inheritance from each other. So propogandists of this viewpoint that a wife is not bound to share her income or wealth towards household expenses are in sheer ignorance. Husband and wife are two wheels of the same household, so they must divide their responsibilities equitably, whether it is income or management of the household affairs.

The glorious Koran is full of wisdom, and it provides answers to all human questions so that believers can live in harmony and without discord. Now I am going to quote a few verses of the glorious Koran to corroborate this fact that both husband and wife are responsible for managing household expenses if they both decide to work and earn money to improve their quality of life.

Men as protectors of women

Interestingly, many Muslim scholars out of ignorance quote verse 34 of chapter 4 to justify that men are primarily responsible for maintaining household expenses and a wife should not share her income towards household expenses. The verse reads:

‘’Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, as God has given some of them an advantage over others, and because they spend out of their wealth.’’ (4:34)

This verse compares men and women as two distinct forms of human beings with unique features.

1-Firstly it is declared that by design Allah Almighty has made men as protectors and maintainers of women due to the fact that Allah Almighty has given certain advantages to men over women, such as physical strength, emotional stability, and providing protection to their women.

2-Second the men by default spend their wealth over their women to foster them and make them comfortable.

So, this verse highlights a general principle because in majority of the cases, it is the man who earns and spend it on the household members, including women of the house because Allah Almighty has embedded this thing in the personality of the man. This is a common practice amongst men from times immemorial and it is not specific to the faith of Islam. However, this verse never commands that women are not allowed to do work and contribute towards household expenses. Because this will be contrary to ground realities of life. At the same time this verse does not command that men must spend their wealth on women. It only highlights a trait or characteristic of men that they love to spend their wealth on women, whether a wife, a daughter, a sister, or a mother. Even if we have to believe the historians, the 1st wife of Prophet of Islam was a merchant and a wealthy lady, while prophet of Islam was her employee before marrying her. Then how can we assume that the rich lady who preferred to marry Muhammad PBUH would deny him her wealth after marriage. So, common sense does not support this viewpoint. Even verse 8 of chapter 93 of the glorious Koran confirms this fact in the following words.

‘’We found you in poverty and made you rich or bountiful’’. (93:8)

This verse is directly addressed to Prophet Muhammad PBUH who was an orphan and dependent upon his uncle Abu Talib. However, when he grew up and married Hazrat Khadija, he became financially well off because his wife was a rich lady and jointly they must have started a prosperous life.

Marriage gift

We know that the glorious Koran commands that all believers must give a marriage gift to the wife at the time of marriage. The glorious Koran also commands that this marriage gift must be according to the wealth of the husband, implying that a rich husband may give an expensive gift, while a poor husband may give a gift according to his means. So, this marriage gift is the most important essential of marriage in the light of wisdom provided by the glorious Koran. Marriage is not complete without Haq Mehr or marriage gift. Even the glorious Koran commands that after divorce the husband must not forcibly take back this gift from wife. However, verse 4 of chapter 4 provides an exception to this rule based on ground realities of life. It reads:

‘’Give women their marriage gifts graciously. But if they willingly forego some of it, then consume it with enjoyment and pleasure. (4:4)

This verse commands two important things or actions.

1-The husbands are commanded to give dower or marriage gift to their wives graciously that is not being a miser.

2-However, if the wife willingly forgo some of it for any reason, the husband can enjoy it without being a sinner. Why do Allah Almighty elaborated this principle? There are two important reasons for it.

Firstly, marriage gift is the most important essential of marriage and no Muslim marriage is complete without it. So, a husband is not allowed to ask for its return.

Secondly, it is possible that a loving wife may feel that the marriage gift is too expensive, and it may impact the financial circumstances of the husband. Since now I am his wife and we have to live together and manage our lives, so why should I push my husband into a financial crisis.

Thus, the glorious Koran provides solution to individual circumstances of husband and wife, so that there is no confusion in the minds of each party. Hence, even sharing of the marriage gift (that is the exclusive domain of a wife) is allowed by the glorious Koran if the wife is willing to do it out of love and practicalities of life.

Inheritance

Even the inheritance laws of Islam as explained in the glorious Koran acknowledge this fact that both husband and a wife are entitled to share each other’s inheritance and wealth. Verse 12 of chapter 4 reads:

‘’You get one-half of what your wives leave behind if they had no children. If they had children, you get one-fourth of what they leave. After fulfilling any bequest and paying off debts. They get one fourth of what you leave behind if you have no children. If you have children, they get one-eighth of what you leave. After fulfilling any bequest and paying off debts. This is a commandment from Allah, and Allah is Ever all-knowing and most Forbearing.’’ (4:12)

This verse leaves no ambiguity that both husband and wife will share each other’s wealth after the death of one of them. Even the husbands share is double to that of the wife.

So, if husband and wife are commanded to share each other’s wealth after death, who stops them from sharing their wealth and income when they are alive? Does it make sense?

Only a fool may uphold such a view that a wife must not share her income or wealth with her husband, even if the family is in financial crises or sharing can improve the quality of life of the household members.

Keep in mind that husband and wife are two wheels of the same household. If they don’t cooperate with each other in financial and non-financial matters, the relationship cannot be sustainable, and the household will become a mess.

Conclusion

The general principle is that it is the responsibility of the husband to earn and spend on his household including his wife, and it is the responsibility of the wife to maintain the household. However, if both of them decide to work and earn to make their life financially better off, then both of them can share towards their common household expense as it may deem appropriate. At the same time there is no harm if the husband helps her wife in household chores. Similarly, both of them can retain some portion of their income for their personal expenses, depending upon the financial space available. We need to keep in mind that Islam is a pragmatic religion. It does not uphold idealism that can only lead to confusion, anarchy, and destruction in relationships.