The proof that a father must provide for his children is the Almighty’s statement, “And upon the father of the child is their provision and their clothing in an honourable manner” (Qur’an 2:233). The phrase “upon the father” makes it clear that the duty rests with him. “Their provision” refers to the mothers’ food, “their clothing” to their garments, and “in an honourable manner” means according to what women of similar standing customarily receive in that land, in proportion to the father’s means—without extravagance and without parsimony. The Prophet ﷺ likewise said, “Take what suffices you and your child in a reasonable manner.”

The evidence that a wealthy person must support a needy relative from whom he would inherit, whether by a fixed Qur’anic share or by agnatic succession, is the verse, “And the same is incumbent upon the heir” (Qur’an 2:233). Because inheritance attests to a closeness that entitles the heir to the deceased’s estate ahead of all others, it follows that he alone should bear the specific duty of maintenance, as opposed to those who do not inherit.

In this very verse—“And the same is incumbent upon the heir”—the intended heir is anyone other than the father who, were the child to die leaving property, would inherit from him; such a person must spend on the child just as the father must.

Allah also says, “And give the relative his due” (Qur’an 17:26), along with numerous other texts that oblige a wealthy person to maintain his needy kinsfolk.

Abu Dawud relates that a man once asked the Prophet ﷺ, “To whom should I show the greatest dutifulness?” He replied, “Your mother.”