Note that this chapter, like the chapter on those forbidden in marriage, makes no distinction between the paternal and maternal sides. Thus, maintenance is due to one’s ascendants and descendants, whether they are uterine relatives, agnatic relatives, or Quranically prescribed heirs, though subject to conditions.

His statement, “including those related through the maternal line among them”: the word “including” indicates a point of disagreement. Usually, when the jurists say, “even if,” the disagreement is strong; when they say, “and if,” it is moderate; and when they say, “including,” it is weak. This, however, is not an invariable rule.

His statement, “those related through the maternal line”: among one’s ascendants, these are every male whose link to the provider passes through a female, as well as anyone connected through such a male. Thus, one’s maternal grandfather is among those related through the maternal line, as is one’s maternal grandmother’s mother, because she is connected through that male; likewise, one’s maternal great-grandfather.

Among one’s descendants, those related through the maternal line are all those whose link to the provider passes through a female. For example, a daughter’s son is among them, since there is a female between him and the deceased; the same applies to a daughter’s daughter.

Accordingly, maintenance is due to uterine relatives among one’s ascendants and descendants. The evidence, they say, is the strength of their connection to the provider: his descendants are a part of him, while he is a part of his ascendants. He is a portion of his ascendants, and his descendants are a portion of him. Thus, if your daughter’s son is poor and you are wealthy, you must support him. If you say, “His name is Muhammad ibn Ali Al Muqbil, whereas my name is Abdullah ibn Salih Al Bassam,” we say: nevertheless, he is your daughter’s son. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said concerning al-Hasan, may Allah be pleased with him: “This son of mine