Answer: All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon Allah’s servant and Messenger, our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and upon his family and all his companions.
A father is not permitted to take the wealth of his child unrestrictedly. It is only permissible for him to take from his child’s wealth when he is genuinely in need. The hadith often quoted in this regard, narrated by Ibn Mājah from Jābir ibn ʿAbdillāh, and also by Abū Dāwūd and Ibn Mājah from ʿAmr ibn Shuʿayb, was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albānī رحمه الله in Irwāʾ al-Ghalīl and Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ.
In it, the Prophet ﷺ said:
" أَنْتَ وَمَالُكَ لأَبِيكَ "
"You and your wealth belong to your father." (Sunan Ibn Majah 2291)
However, this narration is not unrestricted; rather, it is restricted by a hadith of ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها.
The hadith of ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها is found in al-Mustadrak of Imām al-Ḥākim and al-Bayhaqī, and was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albānī رحمه الله in Silsilah Ahadeeth As-Saheehah. The Prophet ﷺ said:
إنَّ أولادَكم هِبَةُ اللهِ لكم يهَبُ لمن يشاءُ إناثًا و يَهبُ لمن يشاءُ الذُّكورَ ، فهم و أموالُهم لكم إذا احتجتُم إليها
"Indeed, your children are a gift from Allah to you. He grants daughters to whom He wills and grants sons to whom He wills. They and their wealth belong to you if you are in need of it." (Al-Mustadrak, Al-Hakim 3123)
The phrase "إذا احتجتُم إليها" (if you are in need of it) shows that the father’s right to take from his child’s wealth is conditional upon necessity. If the father genuinely needs financial support, then he may take from the child’s wealth, but if he does not have a genuine need, he is not allowed to take it arbitrarily.
If the father is taking money to prepare for his child’s marriage, such as to build a house or provide financial security, then this is permissible, as it directly benefits the child. Allah says:
أَسْكِنُوهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ سَكَنْتُم مِّن وُجْدِكُمْ
"House them where you reside, according to your means." (Surah al-Ṭalāq 65:6)
However, if the father is taking money for his own personal expenses despite not being in need, then this is not allowed.
As for Hajj, it is an obligation only for those who can afford it. If someone does not have the means, then the obligation is lifted until they can afford it.
A person should not worry if they are unable to afford Hajj; rather, they should focus on obligations that are currently within their means.
In the case of choosing between Hajj and marriage, the scholars establish the principle:
درء المفاسد أولى من جلب المصالح
"Repelling harm takes precedence over bringing benefits."
Marriage prevents a person from falling into harām, whereas Hajj brings about benefits. Since preventing harm is more important than seeking benefit, marriage should be prioritised over Hajj if delaying marriage could lead to fitnah.
As for giving Daʿwah, it is necessary to seek knowledge before calling others to Islam. Allah says:
فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
"Know that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah." (Surah Muḥammad 47:19)
Allah placed knowledge (ʿilm) before speech and action, indicating that knowledge must come first before preaching.
Imām al-Khaṭīb al-Baghdādī رحمه الله mentioned:
إِنَّمَا الْعِلْمُ بِالتَّعَلُّمِ، وَإِنَّمَا الْحِلْمُ بِالتَّحَلُّمِ
"Knowledge is attained by seeking it, and forbearance is attained by practising it."
To give Da'wah, one must also cultivate fear and Khashyah of Allah, as He says in the Qur'an:
إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى ٱللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ ٱلْعُلَمَـٰٓؤُا۟
Only those fear Allāh, from among His servants, who have knowledge. (Surah Fatir 35:28)
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
مَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُفَقِّهْهُ فِي الدِّينِ
"Whomever Allah wants good for, He grants them understanding of the religion." (Bukhārī and Muslim)
Therefore, Daʿwah should be based on knowledge, sincerity, and acting upon what one has learned. Only then will it be effective and pleasing to Allah.
May Allah send His blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and upon his family and all his companions.
— Answered by Ustadh Abdulrahman Hassan
