Upon whom is the financial support (Nafaqah) obligatory for a dependent individual?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Maintenance (Nafaqāt)
Primary text
Financial support is obligatory upon the father if one exists who is capable of providing it; no one else is required to provide it. This ruling is supported by the decree of Allah the Almighty: {But if they suckle a child for you, then give them their recompense} (Quran 65:6), and {And upon the father is the provision and clothing for them} (Quran 2:233). Furthermore, the Prophet, peace be upon him, instructed Hind, saying: 'Take what is sufficient for you and your child according to what is fair.' The obligation was thus placed upon the father rather than the mother.
Supporting text
Among the followers of Imam Al-Shafi'i, there are two views regarding a situation where a poor person has both a father and an adult son who are capable providers: one view holds that the support is solely upon the father, and the second view holds that it is incumbent upon both of them due to their equal closeness in relationship. The ruling is established upon the father because it is explicitly mentioned in the texts, requiring adherence to the explicit statement and abandonment of other considerations.