Take from his money in a reasonable manner what suffices you and suffices your children

Explanation

Hind bint ‘Utbah (may Allah be pleased with her) sought the Prophet's advice regarding her husband, Abu Sufyān (may Allah be pleased with him), who was miserly and very protective of his wealth. He did not provide for her what was enough for herself and her children, except that she secretly took from his money without his knowledge. She asked if there was any sin upon her for doing so. He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: Take from his wealth for yourself and your children the amount that is commonly known to be sufficient, even without his knowledge.

Lessons

• It is obligatory to provide for one's wife and children.
• Ibn Hajar said: The meaning of his statement: "Take from his money what is sufficient for you in a reasonable manner," is that he referred her to the customary practice in matters where there is no legal specification.
• Ibn Hajar said: This Hadīth is used as evidence for the permissibility of mentioning something about a person that he would not like if it is done for the purpose of seeking legal opinion, complaining, or similar reasons. This is one of the situations in which backbiting is allowed.
• Al-Qurtubi said: Hind did not mean to describe Abu Sufyān as being miserly in all of his states; rather, she described her situation with him, that he was stingy with her and her children. This does not necessarily imply overall miserliness, as many leaders do this with their families while favoring foreigners to win their favor.