(256) Chapter: Some cases where it is permissible to Backbite

'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said:
Hind, the wife of Abu Sufyan, said to the Prophet (ﷺ): Abu Sufyan is a niggardly man and does not give me and my children adequate provisions for maintenance unless I take something from his possession without his knowledge. The Prophet (ﷺ) said to her, "Take from his possessions on a reasonable basis that much which may suffice for you and your children."

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: Hind was the mother of Mu`awiyah (May Allah be pleased with him). Along with her husband, Abu Sufyan, she embraced Islam in the year of conquest of Makkah. We learn from this Hadith that:

1. In order to know religious injunctions, husband and wife can mention each other's shortcomings before a Mufti (a religious scholar who is in a position to issue verdicts on religious matters).

2. If a husband does not give his wife enough money to cover the domestic expenses, then it is permissible for his wife to take some of his money without his permission, provided the amount thus taken is for essential expenses not for superfluous matters.