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Does a husband have to financially support his wife after issuing a divorce to her? 

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by TheMufti.com

Q. I have divorced my wife and she is sitting in Iddah. Do I as an ex-husband have any responsibilities to my now ex-wife? Do I have to pay my ex-wife’s medical/doctor’s bills?


A. In principle, it is the husband’s responsibility to provide financial support (Nafaqah) for his wife throughout the period of their marriage. This includes the necessities of life i.e. food, clothing and shelter. (Shaami 3/572) It also includes the responsibility of medical and doctor’s bill’s as this is also a necessity of life. (Al-Fiqhul-Islaamiy-Wa Idillatuhu 10/7381)

Furthermore, just as the financial support (Nafaqah) is the responsibility upon the husband throughout the marriage, this remains a responsibility upon a husband even after a husband issues a divorce to his wife (revocable or irrevocable) until her Iddah period terminates. Therefore, as an ex-husband, it will still remain your responsibility to provide financial support (Nafaqah) to your ex-wife until her Iddah period terminates. (Shaami 3/609)

Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

This answer was collected from TheMufti.com, which is a fatwa portal managed by Mufti Ismaeel Bassa from South Africa.

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