Providing Sustenance To The Family Is A Charity

عَنْ أَبِي مَسْعُودٍ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ فَقُلْتُ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ فَقَالَ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ إِذَا أَنْفَقَ الْمُسْلِمُ نَفَقَةً عَلَى أَهْلِهِ وَهُوَ يَحْتَسِبُهَا كَانَتْ لَهُ صَدَقَةً 

From Abu Mas'ud Al-Anshari I said;  From the Prophet SAW, he said: "If a Muslim gives sustenance to his family with the intention of hoping for a reward, then for him it is charity."

(HR Bukhari No: 4932)

Status: Sahih Hadith 

Learnings:

1.  For a husband and father of children, providing for family members is a mandatory responsibility. 

2. The husband must provide maintenance to his family members wife and children according to his ability. Not fulfilling it would lead to sin. The words of the Prophet SAW: 

كَفَى بِالْمَرْءِ إِثْمًا أَنْ يُضَيِّعَ مَنْ يَقُوتُ 

"It is sufficient sin for a man that he neglects him whom he maintains."

(HR. Abu Daud 1692)

Status: Sahih Hadith 

3. Giving sustenance to dependents is charity.  Husbands are obliged to provide maintenance to family members for reasons of marriage, including food, drink, housing, health care, protection, love, education and others. 

4. In today's society, even though wives are working, the responsibility of providing support still falls on the shoulders of the husband. The wife can still help where appropriate as a complement. The wife's contribution to the family is also considered as charity which will be rewarded with a great reward by Allah S.W.T. 

5. A Muslim who gives sustenance to his family members with the intention of hoping for reward, then that is charity.