Spending on family earns Allah's reward
“Why do people think if that's your obligation then there is no reward for it?”
Spending on one's family (nafaqah) is not merely an obligation but a rewarded act of charity, and believers should give beyond the required zakah while prioritizing leaving their family faith, taqwa, and financial sufficiency.
The khutbah in 8 steps
- Opening hadith from Riyad al-Salihin: Umm Salamah asks if she is rewarded for spending on her children
- Women's financial independence: their wealth is their own, but scholars recommend consulting the husband when spending more than a third
- There is a right in wealth beyond zakah: Surah al-Baqarah 2:177 distinguishes 'aata al-mal' from 'aata al-zakah' (known right vs. general right)
- Men are also rewarded for obligatory spending on family, supported by the hadith on spending seeking Allah's reward
- Obligations themselves carry reward, citing the hadith qudsi on Allah loving most what He made obligatory
- Waqf ala al-dhurriyyah (family endowment/trust) as a means to keep family self-sufficient
- Contrast between Umar ibn Abdul Aziz (left taqwa, little money) and Suleiman ibn Abdul Malik (left treasure) and their sons' outcomes
- Closing with Abu Bakr donating all his wealth and why Allah accepted his sadaqah but not another man's
In the khateeb's words
“when someone spends on his family seeking his reward for it from Allah”
“So why do people think if that's your obligation then there is no reward for it?”
“No, the best thing that you do that to fulfill your obligations”
For the dinner table
Today the khateeb taught us from a hadith of Umm Salamah, who asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) if she would be rewarded for spending on her own children, and he said yes. We learned that a woman's money is her own, she can spend it freely, though it's wise to consult her husband when giving away large amounts, to protect the peace of the home. We also learned that Allah asks more of our wealth than just zakah; there is a right in our money beyond our obligations, and giving voluntarily can bring even greater reward. Even a father spending on his family, which is his duty, counts as charity, just like salah, our obligations carry reward when done for Allah. The khateeb reminded us that the greatest inheritance we leave our children is not money but iman, taqwa, and trust in Allah, like Umar ibn Abdul Aziz did, while still leaving them enough so they won't have to beg after we're gone. May Allah make our spending a means to Jannah.
- If you could give money to help someone without anyone ever knowing, what would you choose to give it to?
- The Prophet said even spending on your own family counts as charity, what are some 'boring' daily things you do that could earn reward if done for Allah?
- Umar ibn Abdul Aziz left his kids faith instead of treasure, if you could only pass on one thing to your future children, what would it be?
More on Wealth & charity
15:41NAMCC · North Austin, TX · Oct 24, 2026Earn halal, spend wisely, and save“May Allah have mercy on a man who earns his money in a halal way, spends it economically, and saves some of it for a day that he needs it.”
Don't think that taking the easy way out or the shortcut is actually going to make you gain the rizq quicker.25:16MAPS Redmond · Redmond, WA · Sep 18, 2026Trust Allah's provision and find contentment
Everyone wants more Rizq, but no one wants accountability and responsibility, and you cannot have one without the other.19:34Qalam · Carrollton, TX · Sep 11, 2026More provision means more accountability