There’s a lot of confusion and talk regarding masculinity these days. In Islam, masculinity is tied strongly to a man’s spending. There are Islamic guidelines for what and how a man should spend, and upon what and whom he should spend it. Doing it right makes him a man of real worth. With women claiming independence, and with religious practice becoming rigidly defined, it is harder for men to see a clear role for themselves as contributing members of society and family life. In this episode, we turn the conversation back to how important the spending of men is for the building of healthy individuals, families, and societies.

TEXT IN FOCUS:

“O son of Adam! Verily [the thing you should know about yourself is that] to spend on others [for the sake of Allah] is better for you, and to hold it is worse for you. You won’t be blamed for [holding onto what is] just enough. And begin in your charity with those you are responsible for to support. And the upper hand is superior to the lower hand.” (Muslim)

TIMESTAMPS:

2:25 The hadith on spending and withholding wealth

4:10 The sins of not spending

8:05 Using intention to make your spending count

9:46 The special role of man as breadwinner

11:47 The leader is the one who spends

12:18 Spending incurs loyalty

13:50 Holding onto “just enough” wealth

16:20 Ordering one’s spending priorities

18:02 Spending one’s wealth, time, life on others

19:54 Is it wrong for women to earn and spend?

22:41 Islam respects class difference

26:22 Woman accepting the man’s financial planning

28:31 Women being pushed to earn

29:49 Today’s two income dilemma

31:17 The subtle marital harms of poor financial planning

32:55 Concrete aspects of proper planning and spending

33:46 The spending of men’s time on kids

34:47 The ability to spend more

36:09 Receiving with obedience

40:02 Marital agreement on making big money

40:38 Hidden dangers to family iman in the mad pursuit of dunya

TAGS: Muslim masculinity, Islamic marriage, men as leaders, financial planning, raising kids