Beyond Cultural Taboos: The Muslim Woman's Guide to Money Conversations

Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Raheem

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "No soul will die until it has received all its provision (rizq), even if it is slow in coming. So fear Allah and be moderate in seeking your provision; take that which is permissible and leave that which is forbidden." [Ibn Majah]

Growing up, I was taught in Sunday school that zakat was one of the five pillars of Islam and that it generally involved giving 2.5% of my wealth. However, I never learned the practical details of how to actually calculate it. My parents didn't show me the process, and I honestly have no idea how they determined their own zakat amounts. The finer points—what assets are included, how to determine nisab (the minimum threshold), what exemptions apply—were never explained to me. This lack of practical education left me unprepared when it came time to fulfill this important obligation on my own.

Like many immigrant families, finances weren't discussed openly in our home, particularly with daughters. This cultural silence around money matters extended even to religious financial obligations like zakat. Although zakat is a fundamental pillar of Islam required of all Muslims regardless of gender, the practical aspects of calculating and fulfilling it were not taught to me.

This omission reflects a broader pattern where financial acumen wasn't considered essential knowledge for young women. As I entered adulthood, I found myself unprepared not only for basic financial responsibilities but also for properly fulfilling my religious obligations related to wealth.

I had to navigate money management entirely on my own, learning both secular financial principles and Islamic wealth management simultaneously. This experience highlighted how financial literacy is not just a practical skill but a spiritual necessity for all Muslims, regardless of gender. Both men and women need this knowledge to properly manage their wealth according to Islamic principles.

Today, I make sure my daughter understands her financial obligations in Islam. We calculate zakat together during Ramadan, discuss halal investments, and talk about the importance of financial independence—conversations I wish I'd had in my youth.

Our first female role model in Islam, Khadija (RA), was a groundbreaking figure who shattered gender norms as a highly successful businesswoman. In an era when women rarely had financial independence, she not only managed international trade routes but owned her own caravans and employed men to work for her—a revolutionary concept in 7th century Arabia. She exemplified how a Muslim woman could be both financially astute and deeply spiritual. Her business acumen was so exceptional that she was known as 'Al-Tahira' (the Pure) and 'Ameerat-Quraysh' (Princess of Quraysh) for her integrity and success in commerce. The title "Al-Tahira" referred to both her moral integrity in business dealings—she was known for fair trading practices and honesty—and her personal character, as she maintained high ethical standards in all aspects of her life even before Islam. Her reputation for purity and fairness earned her tremendous respect among the Quraysh merchants, establishing her as a model of ethical leadership regardless of gender.

One striking example of Khadija’s financial wisdom is how she identified talent and created opportunity. When she learned of the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) reputation for honesty and good character, she hired him to manage her trading caravans to Syria, offering him twice her usual commission—a bold investment decision that challenged patriarchal business norms. This business decision proved extraordinarily profitable—her caravans under his management returned with unprecedented profits.

Perhaps most significantly, Khadija (RA) became Islam's first female philanthropist, using her vast wealth to fund a movement that would eventually grow to 1.8 billion followers worldwide.

She financially sustained the early Muslim community during persecution, provided resources for formerly enslaved people, and invested her entire fortune in supporting the Prophet's (ﷺ) mission.

Her example doesn't just demonstrate financial acumen—it provides irrefutable evidence that women have always belonged in financial leadership and that feminine economic power can literally change the course of history.

Despite Khadija's (RA) powerful legacy as a financially independent Muslim woman who funded the early Islamic movement, her example has been obscured over centuries of cultural practices that have distanced many Muslim women from their financial birthright. Today, many Muslim women hesitate to discuss finances openly, whether from cultural conditioning or misunderstanding of Islamic teachings:

'It's impolite for women to talk about money,'

 'Financial matters are men's domain,' 

'Showing interest in wealth makes you seem materialistic or unwifely,'

 or the particularly damaging notion that 'A good Muslim woman leaves financial decisions to her husband.' 

Even accomplished professional women often hear that questioning her family's financial arrangements demonstrates a lack of trust or faith in Allah's provision, conflating financial passivity with religious virtue.

When women lack financial literacy, they struggle to make informed decisions about managing inheritance, making wise investment choices, or asking for their mahr (the obligatory bridal gift given by the groom to the bride, which becomes her exclusive property and financial security).

The mahr is not merely a symbol but an important financial right in Islamic marriage—a woman's personal asset that she can save, invest, or spend as she chooses. Yet without financial knowledge, many women don't recognize the significance of this economic protection, sometimes agreeing to nominal amounts out of modesty or failing to ensure the promised amount is actually transferred to their control. Too often, young Muslim women are encouraged to ask for non-financial material as mahr—$1, memorization of a surah in the Quran, or a cat—without understanding that mahr is meant to provide financial security and independence. This Islamic right, meant to empower women, becomes merely symbolic.

The impact extends beyond individual households. In my work with Muslim nonprofits, I've witnessed how women's financial empowerment directly correlates with community development. Women who understand wealth management are more likely to establish endowments, support Islamic institutions, and create lasting charitable initiatives.

But how do we begin these crucial conversations?

Start with Islamic knowledge. Understanding that Allah ﷻ has given women complete financial rights helps overcome cultural hesitation. The Quran clearly outlines women's right to own property, inherit wealth, and manage their money independently.

This divine validation provides the confidence needed to engage in financial discussions.

Create safe spaces for learning. Whether through sisters' halaqas or informal gatherings, women need environments where they can ask questions about budgeting, investing, and wealth management from an Islamic perspective. These conversations should extend beyond basic household budgeting to include topics like halal investing, retirement planning, and charitable giving strategies. Additionally, we need experts from both Islamic and mainstream financial institutions to develop programs and services specifically addressing Muslim women's financial needs. Financial institutions should create women-focused advisory services where questions about Shariah-compliant mortgages, investment vehicles, and retirement accounts can be discussed in an environment that respects both Islamic values and women's financial autonomy. By bringing these conversations into institutional spaces, we validate the importance of Muslim women's financial empowerment while providing access to the technical expertise needed for sophisticated wealth management.

Include the next generation. Teaching our daughters about money management isn't just about financial security—it's about empowering them to become active participants in building the ummah's future. When we discuss finances openly with our children, we break generational cycles of financial illiteracy.

Make it about impact. Frame financial discussions around the greater purpose of serving Allah ﷻ. Whether it's calculating zakat properly, planning sadaqa jariya (continuous charity in Islam that brings ongoing rewards after death through lasting contributions that benefit others) projects, or investing in halal businesses that benefit the community, financial literacy enables greater good.

The Prophet ﷺ encouraged us to both trust in Allah's provision and take practical steps to secure our livelihood. As one hadith reminds us, "Tie your camel and trust in Allah." Financial literacy is our way of "tying the camel"—taking the practical steps necessary while maintaining complete trust in Allah ﷻ as the ultimate provider. In my own journey, I've tied my camel by actively educating myself about zakat. I registered for webinars, read books on Islamic finance, consulted with knowledgeable scholars, and eventually created my own spreadsheet to track and calculate my giving. Each step was an act of both spiritual devotion and practical responsibility.

As Muslim women, we have a responsibility to revive the legacy of Khadija (RA) and other female companions who weren't afraid to engage in financial matters. By opening these conversations, we empower ourselves and future generations to manage wealth with purpose, maximize our charitable impact, and build lasting financial foundations for our communities. I personally experienced this transformation during the pandemic when we launched the economic empowerment series at RISE. Organizing these sessions helped me reconnect with my own legacy as a Muslim woman. For the first time, I truly saw myself as a philanthropist—not because of the amount I could give, but because I recognized I was continuing Khadija's (RA) tradition of using financial knowledge to uplift our community. The power of claiming this identity—of seeing myself as part of an unbroken chain of Muslim women who understood both spiritual and financial empowerment—fundamentally changed my relationship with money and giving. The gratitude from attendees confirmed that reclaiming this heritage wasn't just personally transformative but communally necessary. 

Let's shift the narrative from viewing money discussions as taboo to seeing them as essential acts of worship when approached with the right intention.

Every dollar I saved and invested through smart financial planning turned into a dollar that empowered women, supported survivors, or provided appropriate services for the Deaf/Deaf+ community. 

The time has come for Muslim women to reclaim our space in financial discussions—not just for personal gain but for the greater purpose of serving Allah ﷻ and uplifting our ummah. From teaching our daughters to calculate zakat to empowering brides to request meaningful mahr to establishing ethical businesses that prioritize community benefit over profit, these conversations shape the financial future of our community. The change starts with us.