Short answer
Yes. Nafaqah (maintenance) is wajib on the husband: food, clothing and housing, according to his means. The wife does not have to spend on the home even if she is rich or works, and her income is hers. If she chooses to help, it is a charity with double reward. The four schools agree on this.
The husband must provide food, clothing and a home suited to his means and her circumstances, even if she is wealthy. Her own wealth and salary are hers. A wife who leaves the marital home without right (nashizah) loses her nafaqah until she returns.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
Allah says, "Let a man of wealth spend from his wealth, and he whose provision is restricted, let him spend from what Allah has given him" (65:7). Providing for the family is one reason the husband is given leadership of it (4:34). When Hind complained that her husband Abu Sufyan did not give enough, the Prophet ﷺ allowed her to take what was enough for her and her children in a reasonable way.
What nafaqah includes:
- Food and basic needs such as cooking supplies, toiletries and water.
- Clothing for each season.
- Housing: a private space of her own. Learn more in living with in-laws.
- The standard is set by custom and his ability. The Hanafi fatwa looks at the state of both spouses, so a wealthy husband gives more.
A working wife: her salary belongs to her. If the husband agreed to her working, she keeps her right to nafaqah. Couples are free to agree that she contributes, and many do out of love, but it is her gift, not his right. The Prophet ﷺ told Zaynab, the wife of Ibn Mas'ud, that spending on her husband and children brings two rewards, for family ties and for charity. If the husband is poor and cannot provide, she may be patient, or ask a mufti or Islamic council about her options.
Children's maintenance is also on the father. See rights of the wife for the other rights.
The evidence
Quran, Surah At-Talaaq 65:7
لِيُنفِقْ ذُو سَعَةٍۢ مِّن سَعَتِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن قُدِرَ عَلَيْهِ رِزْقُهُۥ فَلْيُنفِقْ مِمَّآ ءَاتَىٰهُ ٱللَّهُ ۚ لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا مَآ ءَاتَىٰهَا ۚ سَيَجْعَلُ ٱللَّهُ بَعْدَ عُسْرٍۢ يُسْرًۭا ﴿٧﴾
Let a man of wealth spend from his wealth, and he whose provision is restricted - let him spend from what Allah has given him. Allah does not charge a soul except [according to] what He has given it. Allah will bring about, after hardship, ease.
Spending is by the husband's means.
Quran, Surah Al-Baqara 2:233
۞ وَٱلْوَٰلِدَٰتُ يُرْضِعْنَ أَوْلَٰدَهُنَّ حَوْلَيْنِ كَامِلَيْنِ ۖ لِمَنْ أَرَادَ أَن يُتِمَّ ٱلرَّضَاعَةَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱلْمَوْلُودِ لَهُۥ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَكِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۚ لَا تُكَلَّفُ نَفْسٌ إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۚ لَا تُضَآرَّ وَٰلِدَةٌۢ بِوَلَدِهَا وَلَا مَوْلُودٌۭ لَّهُۥ بِوَلَدِهِۦ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱلْوَارِثِ مِثْلُ ذَٰلِكَ ۗ فَإِنْ أَرَادَا فِصَالًا عَن تَرَاضٍۢ مِّنْهُمَا وَتَشَاوُرٍۢ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِمَا ۗ وَإِنْ أَرَدتُّمْ أَن تَسْتَرْضِعُوٓا۟ أَوْلَٰدَكُمْ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذَا سَلَّمْتُم مَّآ ءَاتَيْتُم بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۗ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌۭ ﴿٢٣٣﴾
Mothers may breastfeed their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing [period]. Upon the father is the mothers' provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable. No person is charged with more than his capacity. No mother should be harmed through her child, and no father through his child. And upon the [father's] heir is [a duty] like that [of the father]. And if they both desire weaning through mutual consent from both of them and consultation, there is no blame upon either of them. And if you wish to have your children nursed by a substitute, there is no blame upon you as long as you give payment according to what is acceptable. And fear Allah and know that Allah is Seeing of what you do.
The husband provides food and clothing in an acceptable way.
Quran, Surah An-Nisaa 4:34
ٱلرِّجَالُ قَوَّٰمُونَ عَلَى ٱلنِّسَآءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍۢ وَبِمَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ مِنْ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ ۚ فَٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتُ قَٰنِتَٰتٌ حَٰفِظَٰتٌۭ لِّلْغَيْبِ بِمَا حَفِظَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَٱلَّٰتِى تَخَافُونَ نُشُوزَهُنَّ فَعِظُوهُنَّ وَٱهْجُرُوهُنَّ فِى ٱلْمَضَاجِعِ وَٱضْرِبُوهُنَّ ۖ فَإِنْ أَطَعْنَكُمْ فَلَا تَبْغُوا۟ عَلَيْهِنَّ سَبِيلًا ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيًّۭا كَبِيرًۭا ﴿٣٤﴾
Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband's] absence what Allah would have them guard. But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance - [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them. But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted and Grand.
Men's leadership is tied to their duty to spend on the family.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5364
Sahih... خذي ما يكفيك وولدك بالمعروف ...
"Take what is enough for you and your child in a reasonable way."
Maintenance is the wife's right, by what is customary.
Sahih al-Bukhari 1466
Sahih... لها أجران أجر القرابة وأجر الصدقة ...
"She has two rewards: the reward for family ties and the reward for charity."
When a wife spends on her family by choice, it is charity, not a duty.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Talaq, Bab al-Nafaqah. Nafaqah is wajib for the wife whether she is Muslim or Kitabi, rich or poor.
- al-Durr al-Mukhtar with Radd al-Muhtar, Bab al-Nafaqah. The fatwa that both spouses' states are considered, and the nashizah loses nafaqah.
This answer is pending review by the scholars on our team. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.