UAE | General
Husband's duty: Non-Muslim woman married to Muslim
Ask the Law - May 8, 2008
- By Dina Aboul Hosn, Gulf News
- Published: 18:40 May 9, 2008
A reader in Dubai asks: I am a non-Muslim woman married to a Muslim. We have been married for three years, and have two children. My husband spends money neither on me nor his children. I tried to find work but I could not find a suitable job, and I am thinking of returning to my country as my husband says that he is not obliged to spend money on me on the basis that this is the right of a Muslim wife only. My question is may I file a case before the Sharia Court in this regard? In case of divorce, can I retain the custody of my children, and to travel with them to my country?
I would like to assure the reader that spending money on a wife as per Sharia is the right of the wife, whether Muslim or non-Muslim. Both have equal rights, contrary to what has been said by the questioner's husband.
Therefore, the questioner is not obliged to work, and even if she were working, she is not requested to spend on herself as well as her children, as spending is the husband's duty even if the wife is rich.
Thus, the questioner may file a case regarding expenses before the Sharia Court. The court will then force the husband to spend on his wife and children, the amount of expense will be estimated according to the husband's income.
As for the question on travelling, the questioner has no right to travel with her children as she will be granted custody only if she stays in the country where her husband lives because the husband also has the right in guardianship and custody as well as seeing his children. Therefore, I advise the questioner not to take such a step which leads to break-up as well as an unstable family.
- Question answered by advocate Mohammad Ebrahim Al Shaiba of Al Bahar Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Latest news
- Dubai number plates auction raises Dh27m
- Youngsters dance and raise cash for charity
- Dubai departments upgrade services
- Get yourself a free test for diabetes
- Ensuring a safety net for intellectual property
- Reader's issue addressed
- 5,552 illegals held in Dubai this year
- Man cleared because he took drugs in France
- Man charged with trafficking women
- Auditors to probe Mizin graft case
- Breaking down cultural barriers with photographs
- Abu Dhabi Crown Prince visits Islamic centre
- Transfusion centre launches new toll free number
- Smart e-Gate system launched
- Cyber infidelity creeping out of virtual domain
Community Reports
-
Mirror, mirror show me the way
Driver on Salam Street had so many boxes and fruits piled into car, he would not be able to view rear or right side mirrors
-
Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
