All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
The husband is obligated to provide for his wife and suffice her needs from food, drink, clothing and residence, because Allah The Almighty Says (What means): "The mothers shall give such to their offspring for two whole years, if the father desires to complete the term. But he shall bear the cost of their food and clothing on equitable terms. No soul shall have a burden laid on it greater than it can bear. No mother shall be Treated unfairly on account of her child. Nor father on account of his child, an heir shall be chargeable in the same way. If they both decide on weaning, by mutual consent, and after due consultation, there is no blame on them. If ye decide on a foster-mother for your offspring, there is no blame on you, provided ye pay (the mother) what ye offered, on equitable terms. But fear God and know that God sees well what ye do." {Al-Baqarah, 233}.
Ibn Katheer (May Allah have mercy on his soul) says: "The father of child shall bear the cost for the mother`s food and clothing according to the customary practice of the country they are living in. Thus, this cost is estimated according to the husband`s financial situation. Allah Says (What means): "Let the man of means spend according to his means: and the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what God has given him. God puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him. After a difficulty, God will soon grant relief." {At-Talaq, 7" {Tafseer Al-Quran Al-Atheem, vol.1 pp.634}.
Mu'awiyah bin Haidah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked Messenger of Allah (PBUH): "What right can any wife demand of her husband?" He replied: "You should give her food when you eat, clothe her when you clothe yourself, not strike her on the face, and do not revile her or separate from her except in the house". [Abu Dawud, who categorized it as Hasan].
This Hadith indicates that supporting wife is a right of hers, and the husband should suffice her needs from food, drink, clothing and the like.
In addition, jurists have mentioned that the husband should bring a servant to his wife in case she had one at her parents`. On similar grounds, when she gets ill, he should take her to the doctor to keep her in good health.
As for husband`s repaying debts of wife, there are different situations; each of which has its own ruling:
1. If the wife borrowed money to spend on herself and her children, then she has the right to claim that amount from her husband, because he is required to provide for them and her. In case she died, he is required to pay off her debts since she had borrowed that money to support herself and her children.
2. If she borrowed money for other than supporting herself and her children, then the husband isn`t obligated to settle that debt. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.
