How can a father be fair among his children—males and females—given their differing characters and dispositions, so that he is not more drawn to some of them than to others?

Allah Almighty created people with varying attributes, and a father's inclination towards a child with good qualities is natural. However, showing this inclination can harm the favored child by causing conceit and laziness, and it can sow enmity and hatred among siblings, as happened with Yusuf (Joseph), peace be upon him.

Furthermore, discrimination in giving gifts is Islamically forbidden and leads to disobedience from children. Nu'man ibn Bashir narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to Nu'man's father, when he favored Nu'man with a gift over his siblings: "Would you like them to be equally dutiful to you?" He said: "Yes." The Prophet said: "Then do not do so."

No child is perfect. A father should nurture good qualities in every child and encourage them without comparing them to their siblings. A father is also not required to treat everyone equally; he may favor a virtuous child with praise or increased allowance, but without discriminating in gifts. He may also withhold money from a disobedient child if it will be used for sins.

Justice between children in apparent matters is an Islamic obligation (such as maintenance, clothing, education, medical treatment, and marriage expenses), so each child is given what suffices them. The early Muslims (Salaf) even considered it commendable to be just in kissing. This does not mean unifying emotions, which a father does not control, but rather justice in apparent matters, similar to the case of polygyny.