Thursday | 18 April 2024 | 9 Shawaal 1445

Fatwa Answer

Question ID: 1686 Category:
Distribution of wealth when alive

Assalamualikum,

My father wants to distribute his wealth amongst his children when alive. How should the distribution of property/wealth be  in this case? I mean between the sons and daughters? His wife is also still alive. 

Jazakallukhair.

بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم

الجواب وباللہ التوفیق

Distribution of wealth during one’s life is a gift, and not an inheritance. Therefore, if the father wants to distribute his wealth in his life, then he has the right to divide as much wealth as he wants between his children and his wife. 

In the case of division during his lifetime, equality is recommended between sons and daughters, that the same share should to given to boys and the girls. However, if the father gives less to one and more to the other, based on some expediency or need, then there is scope for it. But it is absolutely not permissible to deprive someone or to increase or decrease with the intention of causing harm.

Before distributing the wealth, it is better to save some money for your own needs and expenses, so that you will be self sufficient and not be in need of anyone in future.

وعن النعمان بن بشیرؓ أن اباہ اتی الی رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم فقال: انی نحلت ابنی ھذا غلاما: فقال: أکل ولدک نحلت مثلہ ؟ قال لا قال فأرجعہ وفی روایۃ ... قال: فاتقواللہ واعدلوا بین اولادکم ۔(مشکاۃ المصابیح،باب العطایا: ۱؍۲۶۱)

قال النبي صلی اﷲ علیہ وسلم: اعدلوا بین أولادکم في العطیۃ۔ (صحیح البخاري، کتاب الہبۃ، باب الہبۃ للولد ۱/ ۳۵۲، رقم الباب: ۱۲

وفي الخلاصۃ: المختار التسویۃ بین الذکر والأنثی في الہبۃ۔ (البحرالرائق، کتاب الہبۃ، ۷/ ۴۹۰

وفي السراجیۃ: وینبغي أن یعدل بین أولادہ في العطایا، والعدل عند أبي یوسف أن یعطیہم علی السواء۔ (مجمع الأنہر، کتاب الہبۃ، قدیم ۲/ ۳۵۸

فقط واللہ اعلم واتم