Spending on one’s relatives

 

my father earns about 10 thousand riyals
per month.we spend the least possible amount of money on our selves as my mom is trying to
save money because one of my sisters has still to get married and me and my brother are
still under education.my father's mother is a widow.she is living with one of her sons in
her husband's house along with her three daughters(two unmarried and one widow).she is
living a good standard of living (the same as we r enjoying over here).my father gives
them some monthly allowance. my father's farm is under their (my uncle's) supervision and
they get all the money from it.i want to know how much my father is supposed to give them
monthly provided that they live very nicely and all his sisters and his mother have
considerable amount of gold and separate land properties.

Praise be to Allaah.

Spending on one’s relatives may be divided into two
categories:

The first category is that which is called ‘umooday al-nasab
(lit. the two pillars of lineage)’ i.e. the direct line of ascent and descent, not
matter how far they reach. [This means parents, grandparents, great-grandparents etc, in
the line of ascent, and children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc., in the line of
descent - Translator]. Spending on them is obligatory when the following two conditions
apply:

That the one on whom money is spent is poor and does not have anything
or does not have enough, and is not able to earn a living.

That the one who is spending money can afford it and has enough, more
than what he and his spouse need for their own sustenance.

There is also a third condition: that both parties should share the
same religion (i.e., they should both be Muslims, for example).

The second category is all other relatives apart from those in the
direct line of ascent or descent. In cases where spending on them is obligatory, in
addition to the two conditions mentioned above, there is a third condition: which is that
the one who spends money should be a legal heir (according to sharee’ah) of the
person on whom he is spending, i.e. he can inherit from him. On this basis, if your father
and paternal uncles are able to spend, then it is their duty to spend on your grandmother
and paternal aunts.

But do not forget the matter of kind treatment, for charity given to
relatives is both charity and an upholding of kinship ties, and so it will bring two
rewards. Do not forget what Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“… and whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allaah’s
cause) He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers.” [Saba’ 34:39]

Spending on one’s relatives, especially one's mother, is one of
the greatest means by virtue of which Allaah will send more provision and blessings,
alongside the great reward which is with Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted.

So you should be happy that your father is spending on his mother and
sisters, and you should encourage him to do that and compete with your uncles in doing
this good deed.

As for the amount of money to be spent, this is determined by the
ability of the person who is spending and the needs of the people on whom he is spending.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“They ask you (O Muhammad) what they should spend. Say:
whatever you spend of good must be for parents and kindred and orphans and al-masaakeen
(the poor) and wayfarers, and whatever you do of good deeds, truly, Allaah knows it
well.” [al-Baqarah 2:215]

And Allaah knows best.