Question
A father is supposed to spend equally on all his children, male and female. To what extent must this equality be observed? If I buy a pair of shoes for one child who needs it, does it mean that I have to buy shoes for all my children even if they do not need shoes, or do I have to give all of them the value of the shoes I bought for the needy one?
Answer
Equality pertains to pure gifts, not to needs. The needs of the children differ and the occasions for needs too vary. You are not under obligation to buy shoes for all or give them the value simply because you bought shoes for the one who needs it. Fulfilling the needs of
children is Waajib. Gifts are not Waajib. When making a gift to one child, equality is necessary. However, even in the matter of gifts, discrimination for a valid reason is permissible. For example, one son works with the father while the others are on their own and not of service to him. In this case, the father may favour the son who is working with him.
- Source
- themajlis.co.za
- Published in
- The Majlis Vol 27 No 02
- PDF page
- 8
Verbatim verified against the source PDF
Appears under “| HAD BECOME A MURTAD”. This heading is the nearest headline at or before the page and is approximate. Do not cite it alone.