Guidance for fathers who do not act justly between their children

Question:
The questioner: Your Eminence, some fathers in their treatment favor some of their children over others and distinguish between them. Is there any guidance for fathers regarding this?

Answer:
It is obligatory for fathers and mothers to fear Allah regarding their children and to be just between them in advice, guidance, instruction, and education; because they are all a trust in their care. Therefore, the parents must fear Allah regarding their children, strive to raise them with an Islamic upbringing, and be diligent in being kind to all of them without singling any out; because they are all a trust in their care.
So it is obligatory to care for all of them and strive to raise them with an Islamic upbringing. If they are all in need, it is obligatory to spend on them according to their need, if their father is able to do so.
As for singling out some of them without a legitimate Shari'ah reason, but rather out of personal desire, that is not permissible. So it is obligatory to fear Allah and be just, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: .
So the father and the mother must be just, and seek the truth in raising the children, spending on the children, and other matters. However, a child who disobeys Allah and is undutiful to his parents does not have the same right as one who obeys and is dutiful to his parents. One who disobeys his parents and is undutiful to them deserves punishment and discipline, and does not have the same right as one who obeys and is dutiful. The undutiful child is disciplined and treated as he deserves until he abandons undutifulness and becomes upright in being dutiful to his parents, and he does not have the same right as one who is dutiful to his parents and is upright in obeying Allah regarding them.
Likewise, a wealthy child has no right to what is given to a poor child. If one of the children is poor or sick and does not have the ability to earn, and his father is able, he spends on him, and the wealthy child has no right to that. Rather, this is for the sake of need. So the father spends on his poor son, and the mother likewise, and he is not unjust or oppressive if he spends on the poor one and treats the sick one; because he is unable, and he leaves the capable one who has money to spend on himself and treat himself, for he is self-sufficient regarding his parents with the money Allah has given him.
As for the poor one, like a child or a sick person who does not have what to treat himself with, and the like of those who are unable to spend on themselves due to their poverty, sickness, or an ailment, or the like, they are not like the healthy wealthy person. And Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) says in His great Book: [Surat al-Taghabun: 16] And He says (Exalted and Majestic is He): [Surat al-Baqarah: 286] So the believer must fear Allah in all that he does and leaves, according to the Shari'ah of Allah, and he must beware of injustice and transgression regarding his children or others. Rather, he must seek the truth or justice in everything. May Allah guide them all. Yes.

The presenter: O Allah, amen. May Allah reward you, O Shaykh.