In determining maintenance obligations among direct ascendants and descendants, which relative takes precedence between a father and a paternal grandfather?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Maintenance (Nafaqāt)

Book 46 · Issue 2 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

The father takes precedence over the paternal grandfather. Similarly, a son takes precedence over a son's son (grandson). The basis for this preference is that the father and son are nearer in lineage and have a greater right to inheritance, just as the father precedes the brother.

Supporting text

The companions of Al-Shafi'i hold an alternative view in one opinion, suggesting that the father and grandfather, and the son and grandson, are equal due to their shared relationship through direct lineage and being male agnatic heirs (Ta'ṣīb).