The husband's promise to his wife: Is he obligated to fulfill it?
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The first question of Fatwa No. ( 3323 )
Q 1: If a husband says to his wife, "If you obey me, I will give you a necklace, for example," is he obligated to fulfill what he committed to, or not? If you say the former, then taking a wage for an obligatory duty is not permissible, as the Imam
al-Suyuti said in (Al-Asbah wa al-Nazair): (A note): It is not permissible to take a wage for an obligatory duty. And if you say the latter, then the Exalted said:[Al-Isra 17:34]
A 1 : Fulfilling a promise and a covenant is among the characteristics of faith, and breaking a promise and betraying a covenant are among the characteristics of hypocrisy; the hypocrite, when he promises, breaks his word, and when he makes a covenant, he betrays it. Accordingly, if a man commits to giving his wife a gift or present if she obeys him in a prescribed matter, he must fulfill what he committed to; acting in accordance with the noble morals, and being free from hypocrisy by rising above breaking promises and betraying covenants, and encouraging her to obedience and good conduct. What he gives her, such as the necklace, is not a wage for obedience, but rather good management of the wife so that she is easy to lead and the bond between them is strengthened, and to encourage her to be diligent in performing her duty and for harmony to prevail between them. It is closer to prizes, rewards, and encouragement than it is to a wage. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q 1: If a husband says to his wife, "If you obey me, I will give you a necklace, for example," is he obligated to fulfill what he committed to, or not? If you say the former, then taking a wage for an obligatory duty is not permissible, as the Imam
al-Suyuti said in (Al-Asbah wa al-Nazair): (A note): It is not permissible to take a wage for an obligatory duty. And if you say the latter, then the Exalted said:
And fulfill [every] commitment. Indeed, the commitment is ever [that about which one will be] questioned.
وَأَوْفُوا بِالْعَهْدِ إِنَّ الْعَهْدَ كَانَ مَسْئُولاA 1 : Fulfilling a promise and a covenant is among the characteristics of faith, and breaking a promise and betraying a covenant are among the characteristics of hypocrisy; the hypocrite, when he promises, breaks his word, and when he makes a covenant, he betrays it. Accordingly, if a man commits to giving his wife a gift or present if she obeys him in a prescribed matter, he must fulfill what he committed to; acting in accordance with the noble morals, and being free from hypocrisy by rising above breaking promises and betraying covenants, and encouraging her to obedience and good conduct. What he gives her, such as the necklace, is not a wage for obedience, but rather good management of the wife so that she is easy to lead and the bond between them is strengthened, and to encourage her to be diligent in performing her duty and for harmony to prevail between them. It is closer to prizes, rewards, and encouragement than it is to a wage. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.