|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
To arrange for alimony of wife is wajib (obligatory)
for husband. That is a man is duty-bound to pay for the expenses of his
wife such as food, clothes, house, doctor, and medicine. He would be wrong
not to maintain his wife and could be prosecuted by law.
One cannot expect a family to live without any expense.
They all need food, medicine, clothes, and a place to live in. However,
they might ask for unnecessary items in which case one can disobey them
and not conform with their various desires.
A wise man would spend according to his earnings.
He must classify the necessary commodities and purchase them in the order
of priority whenever he can. He must also save some money for a rainy day.
Some money must be put away for the house rent or purchasing a new place.
He must not forget the electricity, water, gas, and telephone bills. Taxes
have to be paid and school fees must be kept in mind. He must seriously
avoid overspending and not pay for unimportant items. A calculated manner
of spending would never confront one with bankruptcy or debt.
Allah regards balanced spending as a sign of faith
and states in the Holy Qur'an: "And they who when they spend. are neither
extravagant nor parsimonious. and (keep) between these the just mean (25:67)."
"Imam Sadiq (AS) stated: 'I guarantee a person. Who
spends moderately, would never become poor'."[227]
"Imam Sadiq (AS) also stated: 'There are four groups
of people whose prayers would not reach the level of acceptance; one group
of persons is that which wastes his wealth and then asks the Almighty Allah,
O Allah! give me my sustenance. Then Allah replies, had I not ordered you
to observe moderation (in your expenditure)'."[228]
"Abdullah ibn Aban says: 'I asked Musa ibn J'afar
(AS) about maintaining one's family and he stated: 'Extravagance and niggardliness
are both abominable. One must not lose moderation '." [229]
A wise man would avoid borrowing money and would not
take a loan for unessential purposes. An economy which is based on loans
(with interests), received from banks and other establishments is Islamically
and logically wrong and is not praiseworthy.
Buying goods on hire-purchase system, although makes
your house look good, but takes away your comfort and peace of mind.
Why should one buy unnecessary goods more expensively
and fill the pockets of bankers by installments? What kind of a life is
it when every thing is acquired at a hire- purchase price? Is it not better
for one to wait and save his money in order to buy goods at cheaper prices?
It is true that earning money is difficult and it
affects one's life a great deal, however, more important is the way in
which one spends his money. There are families with good earnings who are
always under debts of others. There are also many families with low earnings
who live comfortably. The difference between the two is the way they spend
their earnings. Therefore, it is advantageous to a family that the man
either takes control of expenditures or supervises the one who is responsible
for it.
Finally, it is reminded that meanness is just as bad
as overspending. If a man has more earnings he must make his family more
comfortable and provide their essential requirements as much as possible.
Wealth and money are all for spending and providing
the necessities of life, and not for piling up and leaving them behind
in this world.
The signs of wealth must be apparent in one's family
and house. What is the use of working hard and not spending?
One must use his wealth with regard to his family
and his own comfort. It is hateful to see someone who is able money wise
but his children long for good food and clothes. Children of a stingy person
would wait for his death to share his wealth.
If the Almighty Allah bestows his blessings onto someone,
this blessing must be apparent in that person's life.
"The Prophet (SA) of Islam stated: 'He is not one
of us (followers of Prophet (SA) who possesses money but keeps his family
away from his wealth'."[230]
"Musa ibn J'afar (AS) stated: 'A man's family members
are his dependents. Thus whoever is bestowed with the blessings of Allah,
should expand on his dependents' comfort, or else such blessings may be
taken away from him'."[231]
Imam Rida (AS) stated: 'It is worthy of a man to grant
his family-members with comfort by his spending, so that they do not await
his death'."[232]
"Imam Ali (AS) stated: 'Arrange fruits for your dependents every Friday so that they may be pleased with the coming of Friday'."[233]
REFERENCES
[227] Wasa'il al-Shiah, vol 15, p 258.
[228] Ibid, p 261.
[229] Ibid,
[230] Mustadrak, vol 2, p 643.
[231] Bihar al-Anwar, vol l04, p 69.
[232] Wasa'il al-Shi'ah, vol 15, p 249.
[233]
Bihar al-Anwar, vol 14, p 73.