Do Unequal Gifts Between Children Have Consequences Before God?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
My father, who is still alive, transferred all his property to my two sisters and one brother, excluding me because of my past sin. I am married with two children, and my father’s decision means my children will not inherit anything from him. Will Allah compensate my children, and will I receive justice on the Day of Judgment?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you’re in good health and faith. Thank you for your question. Sorry you’re experiencing this. I can’t judge your father or your past.
Equal treatment is Sunna and default; unequal treatment without a reason can be sinful. Fathers should consult scholars to maintain fairness and harmony.
Equality in Gifts to Children
According to Hanafi law, the father is required to distribute gifts equally among all children, including sons and daughters. Favoring some children over others is generally disliked, as it causes discord, whereas equality fosters harmony and love.
An exception, however, is if there is a legitimate reason to give financial preference to one child, whether son or daughter, in which case doing so is not disliked. Some examples include a child with a greater financial need, a medical condition, or more dependents. [Laknawi, Ta‘liq Mumajjad Sharh Muwatta’ Muhammad; Ibn Nujaym, Bahr al-Rai’q]
Your father’s actions are not aligned with Islamic recommendations unless transparent, fair, and justified reasons existed that were not emotional or punitive. Even then, injustice is discouraged.
Gifting to Deprive
Islamically, one can gift anyone during their lifetime. Such gifts do not count as part of one’s estate and belong to the recipient. However, gifting to deprive heirs after death is impermissible. While the gift may be valid, the giver would be sinful. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]
Children’s Fate is Independent of Your Father’s Choice
Your rizq (provision) is from Allah, not from your father. Your father’s property is only a means. Allah says:
“And in the sky is your provision and what you are promised.” [Quran 51:22]
Allah can bless your children in ways you cannot imagine, through work, du‘a, unexpected opportunities, your own effort, barakah, or another door that opens. Human beings do not control destiny.
As this is a sensitive matter of gifting, we urge you to consult with reliable local scholars who are well-versed in family dynamics.
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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received a traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Currently, he resides in the UK with his wife and is interested in reading and gardening.
