His father overburdens him with demands to spend on his luxuries Fatwa No: 91256
- Fatwa Date:13-3-2006
If father is earning more money than the married son. And father's family is enjoying more luxuries than son's family. Is it justified for father to ask his son for money? 1) What if son has to cut his family's 'necessities' to fulfill father's demand and the money given will be used to support father's luxuries? 2) What if son has to cut his family's 'luxuries' to fulfill father's demand of more money, whereas the money will be used by father for luxuries? 3) What if father spends lavishly? What are Sharee'ah's rulings about such situations?
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
The parents have a great right on their children in Islam, and the children are obliged to obey them and treat them kindly. Allaah Says (what means): {And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment.}[Quran 17:23]. Indeed there is much good in pleasing parents. The Prophet said: "The pleasure of Allaah is attained by pleasing parents, and the wrath of Allaah is ensued by angering parents." [At-Tirmithi] On one hand, you should try as much as possible to please your father with what is permissible. You should be patient with him and it might be that Allaah will reward you [and bless you with more provisions] in this world more than what you spent on him, in addition to the reward He will reserve for you in the Hereafter. On the other hand, the father should be merciful to his son, and he should not overburden him with demands he is not in need of, especially if these demands are only to be spent on luxurious things.
The scholars stated that the father is permitted to take from the wealth of his son on the following conditions:
1) He should not harm his son or take anything from him which he is in need of.
2) He should not take from the wealth of his son to give to one of his other children.
3) He should be in need of money.
Anyway, this father should be advised in a good manner and in soft words regarding some matters which are contrary to the Islamic legislation like being extravagant or burdening his son and the like. This advice should be given by the people who are expected to achieve a benefit.
Allaah Knows best.