What are the limits of obedience to a father who owns land and livestock but does not spend on his wife and university-student daughter, relying instead on his son? Is the son obligated to spend on his mother and sister? Is the son considered disobedient if he refuses his father’s repeated financial demands after having already bought him livestock and additional land? What is the wise course of action in the face of this conflict, and which parent's رضا (pleasure/satisfaction) is obligatory to seek? Is the mother entitled to take from her son’s maintenance and spend it on her married daughters, and then demand more?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Spending on one's wife and children is obligatory, and failing to do so is a sin, based on the Prophet's (PBUH) saying: "It is enough sin for a man to neglect those whom he is responsible to support." If the husband refuses to spend despite having money, his wife may take from his wealth appropriately without his knowledge, or she may refer the matter to a judge. As for a father leaving the expenditure for his wife and daughter to his son, there is no harm in that if the son commits to it, and he will be rewarded for it, bearing in mind that it is not obligatory for him as long as the father is capable of spending.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/62051
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 62051
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- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy