Sources of income for women in Islam

Abstract

According to some studies, feminizing poverty has now become a usual attitude in Islamic societies with rates exceeding 70%, which completely contradicts with the essence of Sharia that allocates women thirty sources of income in addition to equaling them with men in terms of being financially independent, and to be taken care of in all their circumstances.

If a woman is wealthy, sharia maintains her money and gives her freedom to spend it the way she desires, and in the Muslim community there is always a breadwinner who is responsible for all her needs, protecting her honor, and providing her with foods, drinks, clothes, and housing to the extent of his ability. In case of the breadwinner’s absence, Allah (SWT) permitted numerous channels through which money can be delivered to her to keep her from begging. However, the present observations show a different situation although the Muslim woman is proud; she lives her life to spend, not to beg for aliment.

What are those sources? What is their evidence from the Qur’an and Sunnah and the doctrines of the jurists? Why do we witness a partial or complete absence of these sources in some societies? As for the obstacles to dealing with these sources, this needs further research.

Keywords: Women, women’s financial situation, women’s source of income, aliment.