A number of women in Sar-e-Pol say that economic difficulties and certain family problems sometimes delay their visits to health centers and their treatment. Social and health experts emphasize that paying attention to the health of all family members and seeking timely medical care can help prevent illnesses from worsening and contribute to maintaining family health.
Lawyers by citing Islamic jurisprudence and the laws in force, say that essential medical expenses is part of alimony (nafaqah). They also say that a husband’s payment of his wife’s medical expenses is one of the pillars of Islamic ethics and good treatment, which are emphasized in Islamic Sharia.
A number of women in Sar-e-Pol say that, in addition to financial difficulties, their treatment is sometimes delayed because they postpone visiting health centers.
One of these women, who suffers from back pain and other physical problems, says that due to her family’s financial problems, she has been unable to continue her medical examinations and treatment regularly.
Another woman also says that although she needs to take medication regularly and undergo medical examinations, the cost of living has made it difficult for her to continue her treatment.
Another woman says that, on her doctor’s recommendation, she needed to undergo certain medical examinations. However, due to financial problems and, sometimes, because her husband did not take her health needs seriously, believing that “going to the doctor and paying medical expenses are the woman’s responsibility,” she has delayed visiting health centers.
Another resident of Sar-e-Pol says that because of economic difficulties, she has sometimes been forced to postpone her treatment. She believes that such situations sometimes occur because of a lack of attention by some husbands, unscientific practices, and advice from elders in some families based on the belief that “there is no need; she will get better on her own.”
Meanwhile, health experts recommend that when someone becomes ill, seeking timely medical care and receiving support from family members, as much as possible, can play an important role in improving patients’ conditions and preventing further negative consequences.
On the other hand, some lawyers say that when treatment is necessary to protect a woman’s health and well-being, covering the cost of such treatment can be considered part of the essential needs of family life. Based on the views of some scholars of Islamic jurisprudence, a husband has a responsibility and a supportive role in this regard, according to his financial ability.
Mohammad Shafi Alami, a lawyer, citing the views of some contemporary Islamic jurists, says,
“When a woman becomes ill and needs necessary treatment or medical care, some contemporary Islamic jurists consider covering these expenses, within the husband’s financial ability, to be consistent with good treatment and meeting the essential needs of the family.”
Ahmad Sohail Raoufi, another lawyer, says that a woman having an independent income does not necessarily deny the husband’s role and responsibility in this regard from a legal perspective. According to him, when claims related to alimony are considered in court, the need for treatment, the husband’s financial ability, and medical documents are among the most important factors examined by the court.
“When a woman needs medical treatment, it is appropriate for the husband, according to his financial ability, to cooperate in and support the payment of essential medical expenses. If a dispute arises, the matter can be reviewed through legal channels and in accordance with Islamic law by providing the necessary documents,” he adds.
Khadija Rashidi, a religious affairs expert, says that Islam encourages husbands to treat their wives with kindness, take responsibility, and support them, especially during illness. According to her, although medical expenses are not recognized as part of a husband’s obligatory alimony under Hanafi jurisprudence, a number of contemporary scholars, taking into account today’s circumstances and needs, consider covering essential medical expenses part of the necessities of married life and emphasize the importance of cooperation and financial support for a sick wife.
“The Holy Quran says, ‘And live with them in kindness.’ The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also said, ‘The best of you is the one who is best to his family.’ Accordingly, from the perspective of Islamic ethics, good treatment and family responsibility require a man, if he has the financial ability, to support his wife during illness and help cover her medical expenses,” she adds.
Although Hanafi jurisprudence does not consider a wife’s medical expenses part of a husband’s obligatory alimony (nafaqah), some contemporary jurists, taking into account today’s circumstances and needs, consider covering a woman’s medical expenses one of the husband’s responsibilities.
According to Wahbah al-Zuhayli, a well-known jurist in comparative jurisprudence (al-Fiqh al-Muqaran),
“Medical treatment was not considered an essential need in the past because people generally had less need for medical care, and lifestyles and circumstances were different. Therefore, the ejtihad (legal reasoning) of Islamic scholars was based on the customs and conditions of their time. Today, however, medical treatment, like food and other basic necessities, is considered one of the most important needs of life in many cases because a sick person usually considers treatment a priority over many other needs. Therefore, according to these jurists, the cost of medicine and medical treatment is considered the husband’s responsibility.”
Reporter: Sabrina Gunish
