He answered:

It is not lawful for him to give gifts to some of his children to the exclusion of others. Rather, he must treat them fairly, as the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) commanded when he said:

“Fear Allah and treat your children fairly.”

A man had given a gift to one of his children and asked the Prophet to witness it. He said, “I will not bear witness to injustice,” and instructed him to take it back.

If this was merely a verbal declaration, and he did not hand over to the daughters what he had given them before he died or entered his terminal illness, then this gift is to be set aside by agreement of the imams, notwithstanding an isolated dissenting opinion. If, however, he had delivered it into their possession while in good health, the scholars hold two views on whether it must be returned. And Allah knows best.

He was asked:

A man left children, both sons and daughters. The daughters married before their father’s death and received substantial wedding trousseaus. Then, when the man died, the sons inherited only a small amount. Must the daughters share with the sons both the inheritance and what they already hold, or not?

He answered:

A man must treat his children equitably when giving gifts; he may not favor some over others. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) commanded this when he prohibited unjust favoritism and ordered that it be reversed. If a man does this and dies before restoring fairness, those who received preferential treatment must establish fairness between themselves and their siblings. They must therefore divide all the property—both the earlier gifts and the remaining estate—according to the Book of Allah Most High:

“The male shall have the share of two females.”

And Allah knows best.