wife's maintenance

Maintenance

 

Question: Is maintenance a right of the wife accorded recognized under law?

 

Answer:

Yes! Maintenance under Muslim law is known as “Nafqah” which means what a man spends over his family. “Nafqah” basically includes food, clothing and lodging it is also an absolute right of the wide recognized under Muslim Family Law ordinance 1961.

Question: Is a Muslim wife entitled to “Nafqah” or maintenance even if she owns property?

Answer:

A Mohameddan is bound to maintain his wife under Muslim law. Her right to maintenance is absolute.

Question: On what grounds can maintenance be denied to a Muslim wife?

Answer:

A wife is not entitled to maintenance if;

a)      she has not attained puberty

b)      she abandons conjugal domicile without any valid cause

c)       she is disobedient to reasonable commands of her husband

d)      she has eloped with somebody.

Question: How is the quantum of maintenance determined?

Answer:

It depends upon social status of the parties and economic conditions of the husband

 

Question: What are the entitlements a Muslim woman is eligible for after divorce from her husband?

Answer:

A woman is entitled to the following from her former husband;

a)      Reasonable and fair provision and maintenance within the Iddat period

b)      Where children born before or after the divorce are being maintained by the wife, then reasonable and fair provision and maintenance to be paid for 2 years from the respective dates of birth of such children.

c)       An amount equal to Mahr or dower agreed to be paid to her.

d)      All properties given to her before or at the time of marriage or after marriage by her relatives, friends or husband or any relative of husband or his friends.