Chapter 61

Family Economy

ToarrangeforalimonyofwifeisWajib(obligatory)forhusband.Thatis
amanisduty-boundto payfor theexpensesof his wifesuchasfood,
clothes,house,doctor,andmedicine.He wouldbe wrongnot tomain-
tain his wife and could be prosecuted by law.

Onecannotexpectafamilytolivewithoutanyexpense..Theyalneed
food,medicine,clothes,andaplacetoliveIn.However,theymightask
forunnecessaryitemsinwhichcaseonecandisobeythemandnotcon-
form with their various desires.

Awisemanwouldspendaccordingtohisearnings.Hemustclassify
the necessary commoditiesand purchase themin the order of priority
wheneverhecan.Hemustalsosavesomemoneyforarainyday.Some
moneymustbeputawayforthehouserentorpurchasinganewplace.
Hemustnotforgettheelectricity,water,gas,andtelephonebills.Taxes
havetobepaidandschoolfeesmustbekeptinmind.Hemustseriously
avoid overspending and not pay for unimportant items. A calculated
manner of spending would never confront one with bankruptcy or debt.

Allah regardsbalanced spendingas asign of faith and statesin the
Holy Qur'an:

''And theywho when theyspend. are neitherextravagant nor parsi-
monious and (keep) between these the just mean (25:67)."

"ImamSadiq (AS) stated:'I guarantee a person who spends moder-
ately,would neverbecome poor'.""ImamSadiq(AS)alsostated:'There
arefortygroupsofpeoplewhoseprayerswouldnotreachthelevelofac-
ceptance;onegroupofpersonsisthatwhichwasteshiswealthandthen
asksthe Almighty Allah. 0 Allah!give me my sustenance. ThenAllah