Articles

A Message to all Muslims Regarding Justice among Children
Author : Dr Noah Ali Salman
Date Added : 30-08-2023

A Message to all Muslims Regarding Justice among Children

 

All perfect praise bt to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His blessings and peace be upon Prophet Mohammad, his family and companions.

 

This is an advice that we remind ourselves and all our fellow Muslims of, emphasizing the importance of fearing Allah both in private and in public, and the obligation to treat people with justice and kindness. Indeed, Allah, the Most Exalted, has commanded this in His Noble Book, saying: "God commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that ye may receive admonition." (An-Nahl, 90).

 

And He, glorified be He, informed that He loves those who treat people with equity, as He said: "and be fair; For God loves those Who are fair (and just)." ( Al-Hujurat, 9).

 

Indeed, Allah, the Almighty, has also informed that He sent messengers and revealed scriptures to establish justice on earth among people. He said: "We sent aforetime our apostles with Clear Signs and sent down with them the Book and the Balance (of Right and Wrong), that men may stand forth in justice." (Al-Hadid, 25).

 

Undoubtedly, one of the foremost matters in which justice should be observed is justice among children. There should be no distinction between one child and another in terms of financial provision, gifts, or affection. The righteous predecessors, may Allah be pleased with them, used to emphasize justice even in the smallest matters. Justice in financial matters and in matters of worship takes precedence and is obligatory.

 

An-Nu'man b. Bashir told that his father brought him to God’s Messenger and said, "I have given this son of mine a slave.” He asked whether he had given all his children the same, and when he replied that he had not, he told him to take him back. A version reports him as asking, "Would you like them to show you equal filial piety?” When he replied that he would, he said, "Don’t do it then.” In a version he said that his father gave him a gift, but' Amra daughter of Rawaha said, "I shall not be satisfied till you call God's Messenger as witness.” So he went to him and said, "I have given my son from ‘Amra daughter of Rawaha a gift and she has ordered me to call you as witness, Messenger of God.” He asked whether he had given the rest of his children the same, and when he replied that he had not, he said, "Fear God and act equally with your children.” He said that he then returned and took back his gift. A version quotes him as saying, "I shall not be a witness to oppression.” {Transmitted by Bukhari & Muslim}.

 

And it is important to understand in this regard that justice entails considering the circumstances and conditions of the children. A poor child is not like a wealthy child, and the one in need of covering educational, medical or marriage expenses is not like the one who does not require such assistance. A child who has contributed to their parents and siblings through their efforts and work is not the same as someone who has not made such contributions or had the opportunity to support their family. Similarly, an obedient and righteous child is not like a disobedient and sinful child. The jurists have stated that justice in these scenarios and others does not prevent a parent from differentiating in their gifts and expenditures among their children. However, this should not be used as an excuse to differentiate among them without reason or necessity. Allah, glorified and exalted be He, knows what is within a person, is aware of their heart, and will indeed reward each soul according to its deeds on the Day of Judgment.

 

As for the children, it is incumbent upon them to fear Allah in their dealings with their siblings and to fulfill their rights in kindness, maintaining family ties, and showing affection. Allah does not expect anything from them except sincerity, loyalty, and love towards their siblings. Moreover, they should hold their sisters in even higher regard. Allah, exalted is He, said in a divine narration while addressing family ties: "Wouldn't you like me to mend relationships with those who mend relationships with you and sever ties with those who sever ties with you?" She responded, "Certainly, O Lord!" He then said, "That is for you." {Transmitted by Bukhari & Muslim}.

 

It is an act of kindness from the children towards their siblings and a form of sincere advice towards their parents not to accept gifts or favors from their father if they perceive any injustice or unfairness in it. They should also offer advice to their father to prevent him from engaging in what Allah has forbidden. If the father insists on giving a gift to one of them, it is recommended for the recipient to share it with their siblings. Ibn Qudamah, may Allah have mercy on him, stated, "There is no difference of opinion that it is recommended for the one who is given a gift to make it equal with what his brother received. That is why Abu Bakr and Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, ordered Qais bin Sa'd to return his father's gift to equally divide it, in order to treat fairly the child born after his father's death." (Al-Mughni, Vol. 5, Page 394).

 

In this way, everyone attains the pleasure of Allah, and Allah, the Exalted, safeguards families and households from disputes and discord. Each of us will stand before our Lord with hearts devoid of resentment or animosity towards any of our relatives or fellow Muslims.

 

We beseech Allah, the Most High, to grant us and all Muslims success in what He loves and is pleased with. And Allah, the Most High, knows best.

 

 

 

 

Article Number [ Previous | Next ]

Read for Author




Comments


Captcha


Warning: this window is not dedicated to receive religious questions, but to comment on topics published for the benefit of the site administrators—and not for publication. We are pleased to receive religious questions in the section "Send Your Question". So we apologize to readers for not answering any questions through this window of "Comments" for the sake of work organization. Thank you.




Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on obtaining a house through the King Abdullah II project (Decent Housing for a Decent Living), knowing that we do not own a house, our financial situation is moderate, our current rental costs are high, and we are eight people living in the household?
 
 
 
 
 

If owning the apartment/house is done through the same institution/project then it is permissible, but if this took place through usurious banks then it is impermissible, since dealing with usurious transactions is unlawful. And Allah Knows Best.

Are dream interpretation books accurate?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
Dream interpretation books are unreliable because they are merely expectations, not rulings of Sharia. However, if one sees a dream which one does not like, one should spit on one's left side and seek the refuge of Allah from the satan; it will not do one any harm, and one should not disclose it to anyone. If one sees a good vision, one should feel pleased but should not disclose it to anyone but whom one loves. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

What is the ruling of Sharia when husband kicks the wife out of his house without a lawful excuse? Moreover, in such case, when she stays at her parents's house for several months, is she allowed to claim maintenance through a Sharia court?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
It isn`t permissible to kick wife out of house save for a valid reason since Almighty Allah Says (What means): "O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness, that ye may Take away part of the dower ye have given them,-except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and God brings about through it a great deal of good." [An-Nisa`/19]. In addition, it is the duty of the husband to provide for his wife and children in kindness, and this includes food, garment and residence. Moreover, dialogue and supplication are the best means for solving marital problems; however, the wronged party may resort to court. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

I have vowed that if Allah gave me what I wanted so bad, I would fast every Monday and Thursday to the rest of my life; unless there is a valid excuse hindering me from doing so. Fortunately, Allah gave me what I wanted, so I started fasting Mondays and Thursdays; however, I stopped out of laziness. What is the Sharia ruling on this?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May Allah`s peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
Allah The Almighty described the righteous people of Jannah where He Said (What means): "They perform (their) vows, and they fear a Day whose evil flies far and wide." [Al-Insan/7]. Accordingly, you must do your best to fulfill your vow. However, if you are unable to do so, then feed a poor person for every missed day of fast (About half a JD), and if you are unable to do that, then offer expiation for breaking a vow, which is feeding ten poor Muslims (About half a JD for each), ask Allah for forgiveness and increase remembrance of Him. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.