Zayed is compelling his wife to pay Zakat over her jewellery, though she is a housewife and has no source of income. What should Zayed’s wife do in this scenario? Please clarify his responsibility? What portion of his salary should a husband give to his wife as monthly pocket money?
Answer
As a good husband, Zayed should give his wife’s Zakat. If he doesn’t, it’s still his wife’s responsibility to give Zakat on the jewellery she is keeping with herself, and not using in the normal day-to-day life. By definition, she is a wealthy person, but she doen’t have the cash with which she can give zakat. The next best option for her then is to sell a part of her jewellery to enable her to pay Zakat.
Let’s not forget that it’s the wife’s responsibility to give Zakat on her wealth. The husband, according to the Quran, is obliged to look after his wife well. Paying Zakat on behalf of his wife is not binding on him. However, as a good husband, he should help his wife in this matter. In case he declines to help, which of course is not recommended, the wife has to sell a part of her wealth to give Zakat.