Is Paying for a Wife’s Medical Care Obligatory?

Question

If a wife becomes sick, either temporarily or chronically, is it obligatory upon the husband to pay for her medical treatment and related expenses?

Bottom Line

Medical care is a basic necessity.

Quick Answer

Traditionally, fuqaha of the four madhhabs said that medical expenses are not part of obligatory maintenance. Yet modern scholars like Dr. Wahbah al-Zuhayli and others consider healthcare as essential as food and housing, thus making it a husband’s responsibility when possible. At the very least, Islam emphasizes kindness and good treatment, which strongly encourages covering her medical care.

Key Takeaways

• Classical majority: Husband not obliged to cover medical expenses; these fall under the wife’s own wealth or relatives.
• Modern perspective: Medical care today is essential, so many scholars consider it obligatory upon the husband.
• Qur’an and Sunnah emphasize “living with them honorably,” An-Nisa 4:19, and treating wives with kindness.

Detailed Answer

Marriage in Islam is built on mercy, compassion, and mutual responsibility. One recurring question is whether a husband is obliged to pay for his wife’s medical treatment if she falls ill.

Classical view:

The majority of scholars from the four madhhabs held that medical care is not an essential maintenance duty like food, clothing, or shelter. Imam al-Shafi‘i (rahimahullah) stated in al-Umm (8/337) that a man is not obliged to pay for medical treatment. Similarly, works like Sharh Muntaha al-Iraadaat (3/227) and Haashiyat Ibn ‘Aabideen (3/575) affirmed that medicine and doctors’ fees were not required.

Qur’an and Sunnah on kindness:

While not explicitly obligating medical care, the Qur’an commands justice and kindness:

“Live with them honorably.” An-Nisa 4:19

And the Prophet ﷺ said:

“The best of you is the one who is best to his family, and I am the best of you to my family.”Tirmidhi 3895

Contemporary view:

Modern scholars like Dr. Wahbah al-Zuhayli argued that medicine today is as necessary as food, noting:

“Medical treatment has become like nourishment, even more important at times… hence medical expenses are obligatory upon the husband like other necessary expenses.” (al-Fiqh al-Islami wa Adillatuhu, 10/7380)

Similarly, Shaykh Hamad ibn ‘Abd-Allah al-Hamad in Sharh Zaad al-Mustaqni‘ favored the view that covering a wife’s treatment is part of ‘ishr bil ma‘roof (living honorably).

While the classical jurists did not see medical treatment as obligatory, today’s realities make healthcare an undeniable necessity. At the very least, Islamic ethics of kindness and compassion strongly call upon husbands to bear this responsibility.

What This Means for You

If your wife needs medical care, covering her treatment is not only a matter of duty but of honor. Even if jurists differed, the spirit of the Shariah leans towards compassion. A husband should step up to ensure her well-being.

And Allah knows best.

References

Primary Sources

Qur’an

1. An-Nahl 16:90: Command to justice, excellence, and giving to kin.
2. An-Nisa 4:36: Command to show kindness to family, parents, and dependents.
3. An-Nisa 4:19: Live with your wives honorably.
4. Al-Baqarah 2:228: Wives have rights equal to what is due from them, within reason.

Hadith

5. Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 3895: “The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best of you to my family.”

Secondary Sources

6. Imam al-Shafi‘i, al-Umm, vol. 8, p. 337.
7. Ibn ‘Aabideen, Haashiyat Ibn ‘Aabideen, vol. 3, p. 575.
8. Al-Bahuti, Sharh Muntaha al-Iraadaat, vol. 3, p. 227.
9. Sharh al-Kharashi ‘ala Mukhtasar Khalil, vol. 4, p. 178.
10. Standing Committee for Fatwa, Fatawa al-Lajnah ad-Da’imah, vol. 21, p. 169.
11. Dr. Wahbah al-Zuhayli, al-Fiqh al-Islami wa Adillatuhu, vol. 10, p. 7380.
12. Shaykh Hamad ibn ‘Abd-Allah al-Hamad, Sharh Zaad al-Mustaqni‘.