Fiqh of Financially Supporting one’s Parents and Relatives

http://islamqa.org/hanafi/daruliftaa/7933

To what extent are children responsible for financially providing for their parents? I am under great stress lately as my father continues to demand a share of my salary despite having more than enough himself to live a comfortable (in fact quite luxurious) lifestyle. He only takes my money to increase his savings. His take on the matter is that a child is ALWAYS supposed to give. Is this correct Islamically? I have been giving him almost a third of my yearly earnings for the last five years (a very large amount mind you). I have finally stopped doing that as I have just moved out and would like to save more for a new car/house etc. However my father is extremely angry about this.

So the question remains. Islamically and keeping in mind that he has absolutely no need of any financial support at the moment (he works himself and is quite well settled), can I do such a thing. He always brings up the point that he spent a lot on my education (school, university etc). But I feel that from a financial perspective I have paid him back and plus every child has some right towards his parents correct? I can understand supporting him if he has a need. Then it is his right. But just to increase his savings? I have told him many times that I will never refuse if he has a genuine need, but he does not accept that. Please explain and if possible advise an approach to my dilemma.

ANSWER

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

Before answering your question, let us briefly look at the Fiqh of financially supporting one’s parents and other relatives, so that it helps solve your query, Insha Allah.

It is necessary (wajib) upon an individual that he supports his parents and grandparents, if they are poor, and provided that he is capable of doing so.

Allah Most High says:

“Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour.” (Surah al-Isra, V. 23)

Sayyida A’isha (Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “The most pure (of earnings) is what a man consumes from his own earnings, and his child is from his earnings.” (Sunan Tirmidhi, no. 1382, Sunan Abu Dawud & Sunan Ibn Majah, no. 2137)

It is stated in al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya:

“A wealthy son will be obligated to spend on his poor parents, whether they are Muslims or otherwise, and whether they are capable of earning themselves or otherwise.” (al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, 1/564)

Imam al-Mawsili (Allah have mercy on him) states in his renowned al-Ikhtiyar:

“The Nafaqah (financial support) of the parents and grandparents is on the male and female children, for Allah Most High says: “say not to them a word of contempt” (Surah al-Isra). Thus, Allah Most High forbade the child from harming the parents even to this extent, and to not spend on them when they are in need is more harmful than this…..And Allah Most High says: “We have enjoined on man kindness to parents” (al-Ankabut, V. 8), and it is not from kindness to leave them in need despite having the capability to remove their need. And Allah Most High says regarding non-Muslim parents: “And bear them company in this life with consideration” (Luqman, V. 15), and it is inconsiderate to leave one’s parents hungry despite having the means to feed them….” (al-Ikhtiyar li Ta’lil al-Mukhtar, 2/231-232)

In light of the above, it becomes clear that it is the responsibility of the children to financially support their parents provided two conditions are met:

1) One is financially in a position to do so. Imam al-Haskafi (Allah have mercy on him) elaborates on this by stating:

“And it (m: financial support) is necessary (wajib) on the child who is wealthy, even if he is young, wealthy to the extent that Sadaqa al-Fitr becomes Wajib on him.” (See: Radd al-Muhtar ala al-Durr al-Mukhtar, 3/621)

2) One’s parents are poor, even if they are capable of earning themselves. Imam al-Haskafi (Allah have mercy on him) explains:

“One will be responsible for financially supporting one’s parents if they are poor, even if they are capable of earning…” (ibid, 3/623)

In a case where the poor father has more than one child, then all the children will be equally responsible to support their parents. It is stated in al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya:

“If a poor person has two children, one being very wealthy and the other is the owner of the Nisab (m: which necessitates one to pay Sadaqa al-Fitr), then the responsibility of supporting the father will be equally shared by both of them.” (al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, 1/565)

As far as daughters are concerned, they also have an equal responsibility of supporting their parents, but this is when they earn, have their own money and are capable of doing so. (ibid, 1/564)

With regards to one’s mother, the responsibility of supporting her will be on her husband. However, if her husband (one’s father) is poor, then one will be supporting her by supporting the father. If she does not have a husband, then one will be obliged to support her, if she is poor. (Radd al-Muhtar, 3/623)

As far as the other relatives are concerned, we can divide them into two categories:

1) Male relatives, such as one’s brother, uncle, nephew, etc. The responsibility of financially supporting them is only in the situation where they are poor and not capable of earning themselves due to some disability or illness. Imam al-Mawsili (Allah have mercy on him) states in al-Ikhtiyar:

“The Nafaqah (financial support) of other relatives besides the parents and children is (also) necessary according to the amount of inheritance (mirath)….And this is only necessary when the relative is poor, disabled and not able to earn.” (al-Ikhtiyar li Ta’lil al-Mukhtar, 2/232)

2) Female relatives, such as one’s sisters, aunty, etc. The responsibility of supporting them is conditioned only with them being poor and in need. Disability is not a condition, for women are not obliged to work and earn money.

It is stated in al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya:

“The Nafaqah of virgin female relatives is necessary even if they are healthy, provided they are in need of the Nafaqah.” (al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, 1/566)

However, if a woman is married, then she will be supported by her husband, hence the responsibility of supporting her will be lifted from her relatives. In al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, it is further stated:

“The husband will be solely responsible in supporting his wife, so much so that if a woman has a husband who is poor (m: and not capable of supporting her) but has a son, from a previous husband, who is wealthy or a wealthy father or a wealthy brother, her financial support will still remain on her husband, and not on her father, son and brother. However, her father, son or brother will be ordered to spend on her, and then recover it from the husband when he becomes well-off.” (ibid)

In conclusion, the son is responsible to support his parents if they are poor and in need, and that he is capable of doing so. He is responsible to support his male relatives if they are poor and disabled; and female relatives if they are in need. A woman will always be supported by her husband if she is married and not her brother, father, etc.

Therefore, in your situation, your husband’s first responsibility is to support you and your children. The reason being is that the responsibility of supporting one’s wife is unconditional. One must provide for one’s wife regardless of whether she is in need or otherwise and regardless of whether one is capable or otherwise. The Nafaqah of the wife is not waived away by one being poor. Hence, his first responsibility will be supporting his wife.

However, if his parents are poor or his sisters are poor and unmarried, then he will be obliged to support them also. In al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, it is stated that if a man has a father and son, and he is only capable of supporting one of them, then he will support his son first. (1/565)

It is also stated:

“If a man has a wife, children and poor parents, then he will be obliged to include his father in his daily providing, thus the father will be considered to be one of his family members (m: meaning those under his care).” (ibid)

At times, parents demand from their sons even if they (parents) are rich and wealthy themselves. In such a situation, the son will not be obliged to support them. At the same time, however, one will need to respect them and give them their rights of politeness, good treatment, etc. Also, it would be good to give them something occasionally even when one is not responsible of supporting them.

The man, who is obligated to support his wife, children and is also responsible to support his parents, etc, will have to balance things out in a proper manner. His primary concern will be his wife and children, but at the same time he must support his poor parents. One should always keep the following statement of Salman (Allah be pleased with him) in mind:

“Give everyone who has a right their full rights.” The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Salman spoke the truth,” when he heard this. (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

And Allah knows best

[Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam
Darul Iftaa
Leicester , UK

My 89-year-old motherly grandfather has four sons and four daughters. The eldest of the children is 65 years old and the youngest 45. I mean most of them are quite old themselves. My grandfather is looked after by one of his children each month in that child’s home. However, almost every child is so reluctant. The sons say “we’re unable to look after anybody since we are men who don’t know how to take care of people. And our wives don’t have to look after their father-in-law. So, only the daughters have to look after their father in their own homes. But we’re ready to pay the money needed for his care.” The daughters on the other side say “our husbands don’t have to accept another’s father in their homes even if we ourselves look after our father.” So, what should happen now? All of them sound so right. So, can my poor grandfather be left in the midst of a street if nobody actually has to accept him in his/her home?

ANSWER

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

It’s quite unfortunate to hear that children are unwilling to take care of their father, especially at a time when looking after one’s elderly father is most needed.

It is true that daughter in-laws do not have to take care of their father in-law, as this is not their responsibility. Their responsibility is to obey their husband in everything related to their marriage and take care of their own children.

As far as the daughters are concerned, their primary responsibility (after marriage) is to take care of their husbands and children. They should do whatever they can for their elderly father, but their first and foremost duty is towards their own family.

This leaves us with the sons, and the fact is that, looking after and taking care of the father is the responsibility of the male children, even after marriage. The statement made by the sons: “we are unable to look after anybody since we are men who don’t know how to take care of people” is surely incorrect, selfish and being helpless. Rather, being a man demands and requires that you have the strength and power to help those in need.

Islam primarily places the responsibility of looking after the parents on the shoulder of the male children. They should not force their wives to look after their own parents; rather they should take care of their own parents themselves.

Allah Most High says:

“Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour. And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: “My Lord! Bestow on them your Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.” (Surah al-Isra, v: 23-24)

In the above verse, Allah Most High commands us to be kind to our parents, and not even utter a slight word of contempt. Surely, not taking care of them and letting them suffer is worse than uttering a word of contempt.

Imam al-Mawsili (Allah have mercy on him) stated in his al-Ikhtiyar:

“Allah Most says: “We have enjoined on man kindness to parents” (al-Ankabut, v: 8), meaning one should do good for them, and surely leaving them suffering despite having the capability of fulfilling their needs is not considered doing good to them.” (al-Ikhtiyar li Ta’lil al-Mukhtar, 2/232)

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) also greatly emphasised taking care of one’s parents, especially if they are elderly.

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Let him be humbled into dust; let him be humbled into dust; Let him be humbled into dust. It was said: O Messenger of Allah! Who is he? He said: He who sees either of his parents during their old age or he sees both of them, but he does not enter Paradise.” (Sahih Muslim, no: 2551)

The meaning of this Hadith is that serving one’s parents especially when they are old is a means of entering paradise, hence the one who missed this opportunity of entering paradise by serving them has indeed incurred a great loss. (See: Commentary of Sahih Muslim by Imam al-Nawawi, P: 1832, Dar Ibn Hazm edition)

Therefore, the sons should do their best to serve their father. They cannot force their wives to serve them, however if their wives wish to do so on their own accord, it will be a source of great reward for them, Insha Allah. If the sons are old and not capable themselves of looking after their elderly father, they should pay someone to take care of their father.

And Allah knows best

[Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam
Darul Iftaa
Leicester , UK