Is a father's action correct in favoring some of his children with financial gifts over others due to differences in their incomes and needs, even though he knows that the Sharia-ordained inheritance is "for the male, what is equal to the share of two females"?

The preponderant opinion is the obligation to be just between males and females in gifts, equally, based on the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "Be just among your children in giving, and if I were to favor anyone, I would have favored women over men." It is permissible to single out some of them for a gift or give them more for a legitimate reason such as need, disability, a large family, or engagement in seeking knowledge, and the father is not obligated to compensate the rest. It has been narrated from Ahmad that this is permissible if it is due to a need, and not out of favoritism.