The Ruling of Justice Among Children

My dear brothers and sisters, listen to this important ruling about justice between children.

A Companion came to the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W), the father of Hazrat Nu'man bin Bashir. He submitted, O Messenger of Allah, I have given a slave to this son of mine as a gift.

So my dear brothers, see what our Master (S.A.W) asked? He (S.A.W) said: Have you given a similar gift to all your sons?

He said: No.

Then He (S.A.W) said: "Then take it back."

SubhanAllah. What lesson do we learn from this? Look brothers, Deen teaches us to do justice among your children. Imam Bukhari has narrated it like this - "Fear Allah and do justice among your children."

And my friends, there is one thing to understand here. If you give a little more to one child for a specific reason, for example because he served you more, and your intention is not to hurt anyone, then it is permissible. But if the intention is to cause pain, then it is Haram.

The majority of scholars, Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik, Imam Shafi'i (May Allah have mercy on them) all say that giving equally to all children is Mustahab, it is the best deed, and to give more or less is Makruh, not liked.

So my brothers, the summary is that we parents should act with justice and equality, so that all children remain happy and love remains among brothers.

And one last thing my dear ones, if still parents for some reason give more to one and less to another, then the children do not have the right to quarrel with their parents or demand from them.

From Nu'man bin Bashir (May Allah be pleased with him) that his father brought him to the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) and said: I have given this son of mine a slave as a gift. He (the Prophet) said: "Have you given a similar gift to all of your children?" He said: No. He said: "Then take it back."

*Translation:* It is narrated from Hazrat Nu'man bin Bashir (May Allah be pleased with him) that his father took him to the service of the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) and submitted that I have given a slave to this son of mine. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) inquired, have you given in the same way to all your sons? He said no. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, "Then take it back."

*Benefit:* The scholars state that this Hadith is related to grace, favor and justice. That is, the ruling of this Hadith is obligatory. Bukhari Sharif's wording in the narration is, "Fear Allah and do justice between your children." "Justice between children in giving." Muslim Sharif has mentioned this Hadith in different ways and Imam Muslim has added a chapter, "Chapter on the dislike of giving preference to some children over others in gifts." It is known that if each one is given separately and it is not intended to cause harm to others, then it is permissible to give more or less. It is narrated in Muslim Sharif that when they said that he would not give all, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "Then do not make me a witness, for I will not be a witness to injustice." The meaning is that you should not make me a witness to this. In this matter there is evidence that parents should adopt the method of equality and justice among children and the method of equality, and that favoritism is obligatory. And if due to service of parents, some children are given more and some less or given in excess, then the children have no right to demand and quarrel with the parents.

It is intended to cause harm, then doing so is Haram. The summary of all this is that "Indeed it is Mustahab (desirable) for him and its opposite is Makruh (disliked), and this is the saying of Abu Hanifa, Malik and Shafi'i." That is, according to the majority of scholars, giving equally to all children is Mustahab and giving more or less is Makruh and disliked.

The summary of all these things is that parents should adopt justice and equality, so that all children remain happy and mutual love remains among brothers: But if for some reason parents have given more to one and less to another or given to one and not given to another, then the children do not have the right to demand from the parents and quarrel.