Question:
Do the good deeds of a husband accepted by Allah if he does not provide the nafaqah for his wife and children?
Answer:
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions, and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
We start the answer with the explanation on the ruling of a husband providing the nafaqah for his wife first.
The ruling of providing nafaqah for the wife upon a husband is wajib. One of the dalil is the saying of Allah SWT:
وَعَلَى الْمَوْلُودِ لَهُ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَكِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ
Upon the father is the mothers' provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable.
Surah al-Baqarah (233)
Based on the above verse, the scholars said that it is wajib for a husband to provide nafaqah for his wife. Imam al-Haramain Abdul Malik al-Juwaini said: “The command of doing something indicates prohibition of abandoning it”.
Hence, the command for the husband to provide nafaqah for his wife, when being abandoned, is included under prohibited acts.
In fact, Imam Ibn al-Munzir Rahimahullah said: It is the ijma’ (scholarly consensus) that upon the male is (the obligation) to provide for nafaqah to his children who do not have property.
In fact, missing providing nafaqah for the wife and children are considered as a sin revealed by the following hadith of the Prophet PBUH. Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin al-Ash said that the Prophet PBUH said:
كَفَى بِالْمَرْءِ إِثْمًا أَنْ يُضَيِّعَ مَنْ يَقُوتُ
It is sufficient sin for a man that he neglects him whom he maintains.
Sunan Abi Dawud (1692)
Conclusion
Based on the question of whether a husband’s good deeds will not be accepted if he does not provide for nafaqah, we do not find any textual evidence for the statement.
Therefore, if an act did by a husband performed with sole intention due to Allah SWT as well as in line with the Sunnah of the Prophet PBUH, then it is considered acceptable. While the act of not providing nafaqah for wife and children is a sin that should be removed.
Lastly, we advise all husbands out there to never abandon the obligation of providing nafaqah towards wife and children. Guide your family with full honesty and a sense of responsibility. Read and ponder over the following du’a:
رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا
"Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous."
Surah al-Furqan (74)
May Allah SWT give understanding to us all. Ameen.