Al-Azhar confirmed that alimony is a fixed legal right for the wife, whether she works or not. Dr. Ali Fakhr emphasized that while a wife’s employment may be necessary in some households, it does not exempt the husband from his duty to provide for his home, wife, and children, stressing that fulfilling this obligation is mandatory regardless of the wife’s work situation.

Dr. Zeinab Al-Saeed added that alimony becomes mandatory upon lawful conjugal access, whether at home or abroad. She stressed that refusal to provide alimony after conjugal access is considered a breach of Islamic law, particularly if the husband is financially capable.

Criteria for Determining Alimony
Al-Azhar outlined three main factors:

1. 
   

   Husband’s financial capacity: The well-off must provide fully, while allowances are made for the financially limited.

   
   


2. 
   

   Wife’s basic needs: Appropriate food, suitable housing, medical care, and seasonal clothing.

   
   


3. 
   

   Social customs: What is considered an acceptable standard of living in the society; luxuries that become necessary socially are also part of the husband’s duty.

   
   

Al-Azhar highlighted that differing perceptions of needs may cause disputes, and encouraged dialogue or a neutral third party to assess whether the wife’s requests exceed basic needs or the husband is failing in his duty.

Practical Advice

• 
  

  Ensure financial stability in the household even if the wife works.

  
  


• 
  

  Balance requests according to the husband’s capacity.

  
  


• 
  

  Adhere to Islamic guidelines for women working, including modesty.

  
  


• 
  

  Use dialogue to resolve disputes before pursuing legal action.

  
  

Al-Azhar stressed that alimony aims to balance family life, protect the wife and children, and ensure a dignified living that pleases God and strengthens family stability.