Fatwa ID: 03268

Answered by: Maulana Muhammad Adnan​

Question

If adult children(sons and daughters) are living with their parents and the father is earning (paying bills etc),  who is responsible for their expenses of food etc? The sons earn a small wage and the daughters also work within the boundaries of the sharia.

What is the ruling if they are educating, both religiously and worldly?

Till what age do the parents bear the responsibility of expenses? Do the daughters have the same ruling as the sons?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful 

Answer:

If after puberty, children are able to work and provide for themselves, then the responsibility from the father will be lifted.

Imam Ibn Abidin (Allah have mercy on him) states:

“If they are able to work, then the father will be obliged to find work for them and their expenditure will be from their own earnings…..This also includes females in that she will find a job that suits her, such as sewing and weaving.” (Radd al-Muhtar, vol 3 p.612)

Secondly, if they are unable to work, then the father will be responsible for supporting them financially.

Imam al-Haskafi (Allah have mercy on him) states:

“Similarly, providing financial support for a grownup is necessary if he is unable to earn.” (Durr al-Mukhtar)

The conclusion we can come to is the adult children are responsible to work and provide for themselves. However, if the parents provide for them on top of what the children are providing for themselves so that they can pursue a career in religious or worldly education, then it will be considered a great charity for the parents.

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Maulana Muhammad Adnan

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham