Father Entitled To A Child’s Wealth

Q1) Does a father have the unrestricted right in Islam to take and use his adult son’s money without the son’s permission, simply because he is the father?

A1) The Fuqaha (Jurists) have explained that if the father is in need, then yes, it is permissible for him to use his son’s money to the extent of need.

Q2) What is the correct understanding of the Hadith regarding a father and his son’s wealth? Are there conditions and limitations to this ruling?

A2) As explained in #1.

Q3) If money was given to my father for safekeeping on my behalf, does that money remain my property?

A3) Yes, if the money which belonged to the son was given to the father for safekeeping, then the money belongs to the son. This money is considered as Amaanah. The father cannot use it if there is no need. Yes, if he has a genuine need, then he may use it.

Q4) If my father used my money for household expenses such as replacing a geyser, without my permission, would that be permissible?

A4) If he did not have his own money and he used your money to fulfil his need, then using your money was permissible for him. 

Q5) If he says that money was spent “on my behalf” for food, clothing, or shoes, but I did not request those things, can those expenses automatically be deducted from the money he was holding for me?

A5) Until a son is not Baaligh, it is the father’s responsibility to look after the child. Once, the son becomes Baaligh, it is no longer the father’s responsibility to financially look after the son. As such, if the father used your money for clothing, etc. after you became Baaligh, then it was permissible for him to use your money for whatever you required.

Q6) Do I have the Islamic right to ask my father for a proper record of how much money he received from me, how much was spent specifically on me, how much was used for household expenses, and how much remains?

A6) Yes, you do have a right. However, you should do so in a respectful manner.

Q7) If money was taken from me or used without my permission when I was younger, do I have the right to ask for that money to be returned now that I am an adult?

A7) As explained in #1.

Q8) If there is a dispute about how much money he received or spent, and neither of us has a clear record, how can this be resolved Islamically?

A8) In principle, if you are claiming a certain amount of money and your father is refusing that amount, then you are the claimant and he is the defendant. As such, you will have to present two witnesses as proof for your claim. If you fail to provide a proof, then your father who is the defendant will be required to take a Qasam (oath) in front of a Mufti or any reputable Darul Ifta that the amount he has in his records is the correct amount.

Q9) Most importantly, how should I approach my father about this matter in a respectful and Islamic manner without causing unnecessary conflict, but while still protecting my financial rights?

A9) Firstly, you should bear in mind that your father is your door to Jannah as stated in the Mubaarak Ahaadith. As such, it is imperative to treat him with utmost respect and reverence. Secondly, if we lived our lives by the book, then after you became Baaligh, your father could have shown you the door and commanded you to fend for yourself, find your own shelter and food, and pay for your own expenses, etc. but good Akhlaaq from the side of the parents was that they continued looking after their children, even after they reached the age of puberty. Hence, we feel that you should overlook whatever he is using for his needs and other expenses for the running of the house. In this way, Allah Ta’ala will grant you great reward in Aakhirah and in this world you will perceive great Barakah (blessings) in your life Insha’Allah, Aameen!

In conclusion, we have attached a PDF with this Fatwa regarding the virtues of being kind and courteous to one’s parents. This will help you to understand the lofty rank of the parents is more than just a few coppers of this world.

 وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ إِحْسَانًا ۖ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ كُرْهًا وَوَضَعَتْهُ كُرْهًا ۖ وَحَمْلُهُ وَفِصَالُهُ ثَلَاثُونَ شَهْرًا ۚ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ وَبَلَغَ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً قَالَ رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ وَأَصْلِحْ لِي فِي ذُرِّيَّتِي ۖ إِنِّي تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَإِنِّي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ

[ الأحقاف: 15]

المبسوط للسرخسي (7/ 175)

(قال) وإذا استولد الأب جارية ولده غصبا والولد صغير أو كبير مسلم أو ذمي أو مستأمن أو مرتد وقد علم الأب أنها عليه حرام وادعاه بعد الولادة ثبت نسبه منه كذبه الولد في ذلك أو صدقه وهو ضامن لقيمتها وهي أم ولد له ولا عقر عليه، أما سقوط الحد عنه مع العلم بالحرمة فللتأويل الثابت له في مال الولد بظاهر قوله – صلى الله عليه وسلم – «أنت ومالك لأبيك» وأما ثبوت النسب منه فلأن حق التملك له في مال ولده عند حاجته ثابت إلا أن ما كان من أصول الحوائج كالنفقة يتملك بغير عوض وفيما دون ذلك يتملك بعوض وهو محتاج هنا إلى صيانة مائه عن الضياع فيتملكها بضمان القيمة سابقا على الاستيلاد وقد بينا

المبسوط للسرخسي (17/ 115)

قوله – صلى الله عليه وسلم – «أنت ومالك لأبيك» وأثبت له حق تملك المال على ولده عند الحاجة؛ ولهذا كان له أن ينفق من ماله بالمعروف وحاجته إلى النفقة لإبقاء نفسه إلى الاستيلاد لإبقاء نسله فإن بقاءه معني ببقاء نسله إلا أن الحاجة إلى إبقاء النفس أصلي فيثبت له ولاية صرف مال الولد إلى حاجته من غير عوض وحاجته إلى إبقاء نسله ليس من أصول الحوائج فلا يبطل حق الولد عن مالية الجارية فكان له أن يتملكها بضمان القيمة نظرا من الجانبين

بدائع الصنائع في ترتيب الشرائع (4/ 30)

وروي عن جابر بن عبد الله – رضي الله عنه – أن «رجلا جاء إلى رسول الله – صلى الله عليه وسلم – ومعه أبوه فقال: يا رسول الله إن لي مالا وإن لي أبا وله مال وإن أبي يريد أن يأخذ مالي فقال رسول الله – صلى الله عليه وسلم – أنت ومالك لأبيك» أضاف مال الابن إلى الأب فاللام التمليك وظاهره يقتضي أن يكون للأب في مال ابنه حقيقة الملك فإن لم تثبت الحقيقة فلا أقل من أن يثبت له حق التمليك عند الحاجة.

(بدائع الصنائع 6/225)

وأما حجة المدعي والمدعى عليه فالبينة حجة المدعي واليمين حجة المدعى عليه لقوله عليه الصلاة والسلام «البينة على المدعي واليمين على المدعى عليه» جعل – عليه الصلاة والسلام – البينة حجة المدعي واليمين حجة المدعى عليه والمعقول كذلك لأن المدعي يدعي أمرا خفيا فيحتاج إلى إظهاره وللبينة قوة الإظهار لأنها كلام من ليس بخصم فجعلت حجة المدعي واليمين

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani

Date: 06 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1448 / 19 August 2026

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb