The Ruling on Preferring Some Children in a Gift

Question : The questioner says: My father loves his son.

Answer : Yes, some scholars hold that there is a report from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in which he said: However, this is on the condition that the father does not resort to a trick. If he wants to favor some of his children, he gives to all of them and then takes back the gift from everyone except the child he wants to favor; this is not permissible. This is a trick. There is no harm in saying, "I will take the money from you, but if you quit smoking, I will return it to you," so that this serves as an encouragement for him to quit.