The relationship between a wife working and husband’s rizq (sustenance) is a common theological concern for families trying to balance financial needs with Islamic beliefs. Some worry that because Rizq is predestined, a wife earning an income might somehow “use up” the family’s allotted provision, thereby decreasing what the husband earns. Others fear that by not working, a wife might be depriving her family.
This article addresses the Islamic understanding of predestination, effort, and how individual sustenance is decreed.
Understanding Rizq: Predestination vs. Effort
It is a fundamental belief in Islam that Rizq (sustenance) is written and decreed by Allah for every person before they are even born. However, this divine decree does not negate the command to work. Almighty Allah has ordained the amount of sustenance, but He has also commanded human beings to exert effort to seek it.
Sitting idle and waiting for provision to arrive is not the way of Islam. The prominent Companion, `Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), once scolded people who were sitting in the mosque during working hours, claiming they were relying on Allah. He told them:
“Why are you staying in the mosque when you know that the sky does not rain gold or silver?”
The Prophetic Example of Trust (Tawakkul)
True reliance on Allah (Tawakkul) involves a balance of internal trust and external action. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used the example of birds to illustrate this perfect balance.
It was narrated that Umar bin Al-Khattab heard the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) say:
“If you were to rely upon Allah with the reliance He is due, you would be given provision like the birds: They go out hungry in the morning and come back with full bellies in the evening.” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2344)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not say that the birds stay in their nests waiting for food. Rather, he emphasized that they go out and work for it, and through that effort, Allah provides.
Does Her Income Affect His?
Based on these principles, scholars clarify that a wife’s work does not negatively affect the husband’s Rizq.
- Individual Decrees: Every human being has their own sustenance written for them. A wife earning money is accessing the Rizq Allah decreed for her. It does not subtract from the Rizq decreed for her husband.
- No Deprivation: Conversely, since it is not obligatory (Fard) for a woman to provide for the family financially, she is not “depriving” her family if she chooses not to work. The responsibility of financial maintenance lies with the husband.
Therefore, families should not fear that a dual income is a “zero-sum game.” One should work and strive, knowing that what is meant for them will never miss them, and what misses them was never meant for them.
