What is the ruling on a father abandoning his children, not caring for them, and not providing for them?
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Question : This questioner says: Is it permissible for a man to boycott his children, settle in another country, leave them without care, and be stingy with their financial support? Is it permissible for the children to curse him and insult him in his absence because he has wronged them?
Answer : It is obligatory. Yes, the father has a right, and he has a duty. As for his right, it is that they are dutiful to him, maintain ties with him, and overlook his faults, and do not expose his character. As for his duty, it is that he cares for his children.
With good manners, education, financial support, housing, and so on. For the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "A man is a shepherd over his family and is responsible for his flock." It is not permissible for him to neglect them and leave them in one country while he is in another, and then not provide for them. For that is severing family ties and neglecting an obligatory duty. So it is obligatory for him to fear Allah the Mighty and Majestic, and to bring his children to him, or for him to go to them, and to fulfill his duty. As for their cursing him, it is not befitting for them to curse him. Rather, it is better that they ask Allah for his guidance and care, meaning they should be patient with the harshness that occurs, for the outcome is for the righteous. May Allah reward you with good.
Answer : It is obligatory. Yes, the father has a right, and he has a duty. As for his right, it is that they are dutiful to him, maintain ties with him, and overlook his faults, and do not expose his character. As for his duty, it is that he cares for his children.
With good manners, education, financial support, housing, and so on. For the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "A man is a shepherd over his family and is responsible for his flock." It is not permissible for him to neglect them and leave them in one country while he is in another, and then not provide for them. For that is severing family ties and neglecting an obligatory duty. So it is obligatory for him to fear Allah the Mighty and Majestic, and to bring his children to him, or for him to go to them, and to fulfill his duty. As for their cursing him, it is not befitting for them to curse him. Rather, it is better that they ask Allah for his guidance and care, meaning they should be patient with the harshness that occurs, for the outcome is for the righteous. May Allah reward you with good.
Source
قناة «فضيلة الشيخ محمد بن صالح العثيمين»، 2602- ما حكم ترك الأب لأبنائه وعدم رعايتهم ولا ينفق عليهم/سؤال على الهاتف 📞 /ابن عثيمين — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.
