Wife and children eating from the husband’s haraam earnings

 

In many Muslim families, the men work in
selling wine and pork and the like, and their wives and children hate this, while knowing
that they are living off their menfolk’s money. Are they to blame at all in this
case?

Praise be to Allaah.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meanings):

“So keep your duty to Allaah and fear Him as much as you
can…” [al-Taghaabun 64:16]

“Allaah burdens not a person beyond his scope…”
[al-Baqarah 2:286]

Wives and children who are not able to earn their own halaal income are
permitted to take what they need from the husband’s earnings from unlawful sources,
such as selling wine and pork etc., after they have tried to convince him to find a halaal
income and look for other work. They can take what is their right from the father, and
this should be enough just to cover their needs, without being extravagant. And Allaah
knows best.