Q 2: A working wife earns money from her work and gives in charity to those she feels are in need. Upon learning of this, her husband objects and rebukes her. She thus gives charity in secret. What is the ruling on this act? What is the ruling on similar cases such as an unmarried working daughter, who gives in charity secretly and her father does not know? Is this a blamable act? Should she tell her father about it?

A 2: The two women in the cases mentioned above are free to give in charity from their money. In fact, they are rewarded by Allah for this charity. Neither the husband nor the father has the right to prevent them from giving charity.However, if the husband or the father is poor, it will be better to give them this charity. The Hadith reported from Zaynab, the wife of `Abdullah ibn Mas`ud, (may Allah be pleased with (Part No. 8; Page No. 290) them both) states that she and another woman from Al-Ansar (the Helpers, inhabitants of Madinah who supported the Prophet) asked the Prophet (peace be upon him): Is the Sadaqah (charity) given to husbands and orphaned relatives acceptable? The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: There are two rewards for them: The reward of kinship and the reward of Sadaqah (voluntary charity). There are so many Hadiths in this regard.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.