Muslimah Ismail, a Certified Shariah Advisor and Auditor, radio presenter and founder of the Mualimaat Collective, explored women’s financial rights and responsibilities in Islamic finance, drawing on the Qur’an and the example of Khadija (R.A).
Her discussion examined the meaning of mahr, the importance of financial understanding within marriage and the responsibility that comes with managing wealth.
Mahr belongs to the woman
Ismail began with Surah An-Nisa and its fourth ayah, which addresses mahr. She explained that mahr should be given to a woman graciously, rather than treated as something she should feel grateful to receive.
Mahr is sometimes confused with the traditional concept of dowry found in various cultures. In some cultural traditions, dowry can involve a payment associated with the bride’s family. Mahr is different. It is a right belonging to the woman.
If a woman willingly chooses to waive part of her mahr, she may do so. The emphasis is on willingness. It should not be treated as something she is expected or pressured to surrender.
This clarification can be especially important for people navigating marriage across different cultural traditions, where mahr and dowry may be treated as though they mean the same thing.
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Financial understanding is part of religious understanding
For Ismail, understanding money cannot be separated from understanding Islam.
She described Islam as holistic, extending into everyday life and the way people conduct themselves. Finances form part of that framework.
Women may sometimes leave financial matters to their husbands, perhaps where the husband takes responsibility for providing for the household. This arrangement isn’t necessarily problematic, but women should still understand their financial circumstances and the responsibilities involved.
Knowing how household expenses work and what financial obligations exist can become important when circumstances change.
Financial knowledge can also help women make informed decisions within their families. For Ismail, that knowledge should be connected to an understanding of Shariah so that financial decisions remain consistent with Islamic principles.
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Khadija (R.A) shows the value of balance
The example of Khadija (R.A) is usually presented through her position as a successful businesswoman. But her life reveals more about overall balance.
Khadija (R.A)’s involvement in trade did not prevent her from fulfilling her responsibilities as a wife and mother. Her support for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ during difficult moments offers another part of that example.
When he returned distressed after the first revelation, she provided comfort and reassurance. Her role in business did not diminish her role within her family.
The lesson is not that every woman should become a business owner or pursue a career. It is that a woman can have responsibilities beyond the home without those responsibilities conflicting with her family obligations.
Balance remains important. If something that is not necessary begins to interfere with the rights owed to others, Ismail argues that it may be necessary to reconsider those commitments. The same applies to both genders.
Khadija (R.A)’s example also highlights the value of wisdom within a marriage. When the Prophet (S.A.W) needed guidance, she supported him and helped him seek advice while allowing him to lead.
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Wealth carries responsibility
Ismail also referred to the fifth ayah of Surah An-Nisa, which addresses the handling of wealth and the importance of entrusting it to people who are capable of managing it.
This principle is even more so relevant in families where one person takes responsibility for another’s wealth.
Being the eldest child, for instance, does not automatically mean someone is the most capable person to manage an inheritance. Responsibility requires the ability to manage what has been entrusted to them properly.
The principle applies to women as it does to men. Women should understand how to manage their wealth and recognise the importance of ensuring that those entrusted with financial responsibilities are capable of handling them.
Inheritance provides another example. After the death of a parent, families may have to make decisions about assets and responsibilities. Islamic principles around wealth mean that these matters cannot simply be left to whoever happens to take charge.
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Financial knowledge prepares women for change
A woman may never normally deal with household bills, insurance matters because someone else handles them. That doesn’t mean she should be unfamiliar with how they work.
Circumstances can change. A husband may become unavailable, a financial responsibility may suddenly fall to another family member, or an inheritance may need to be managed.
Understanding the basics means a woman is better prepared when that happens.
The same principle applies to children. Ismail connected wealth and children to the concept of rizq, while emphasising that blessings also come with responsibilities. Parents have a role in developing their children’s character and teaching them how to handle what has been entrusted to them.
Financial literacy, in this sense, is not simply about knowing how much money is available. It involves understanding the principles that govern how wealth should be managed.
For Muslim women, that knowledge can provide a stronger understanding of their position within the family and their responsibilities towards the wealth entrusted to them.
To understand more about finances as a Muslim women, watch the video below:
Image via ASL Solicitations.
