Some fathers are preoccupied with their work and may not be able to ask their children about their academic level or who they keep company with; is this a neglect of their rights?

The questioner : He says: O esteemed Shaykh, you know, O esteemed Shaykh, that some fathers are preoccupied with their work and may not be able to ask their children about their academic level or who they keep company with; is this a neglect of their rights?

The Shaykh : Regarding his statement that he is preoccupied with his work, we say: Among his greatest works are his sons and daughters, and their responsibility is greater than the responsibility of his trade. Let us ask what he wants from his trade? He wants nothing from it except to spend on himself and his family, and this is nourishment for the body. More important than that is nourishment for the heart, nourishment for the soul: planting faith and righteous deeds in the souls of the sons and daughters. Then let him know that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: So the righteous child benefits his father and mother in life and after death, and he is more deserving of attention than wealth. If the owner of the wealth is very rich, he can appoint workers to conduct the trade. If he is less than that, then Allah says: Yes.