Father's Responsibilities to his Children

[ummtaalib]

Q. Please advise on the responsibilities of a father according to Islamic teachings. Does a father have to help out with a child or help take care of him physically?

 

(Question published as received)

 

A. A father has the responsibility of playing an active role in his children’s live. His duties are not limited to financial support but include playing a positive role in development and upbringing of his children. He must take out time to sit with them, talk to them, advise them and impart honest and moral values to them. It is his duty to teach them about Islam, good character and how to behave. It is his duty to be a positive role model for them. It is his duty to be loving and compassionate to them; to encourage them with kindness and to discipline them when required.

 

Children must know that they are valued and that they have parents who will take out time for them and be there for them in their time of need.

 

Your answer is yes, a father must help out with his children. When a person gets married and has children, they have acquired a great responsibility. They no longer have the liberty to be consumed with their own interests. They now have to give of themselves to their spouse and children.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

 

Mufti Moosa Salie

 

Confirmation: 

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

 

(The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh.) 

 

 

Fatwa Department

Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) 

Council of Muslim Theologians