Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Ibn Jurayj says that I asked Hazrat Ata whether, according to the Book of Allah, it is necessary to be equal when giving wealth to children. He replied, "Yes!" And it has reached us from the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) that he asked a companion whether he had been just among his children. I asked, "Is this narration related to Hazrat Nu'man?" He replied, "The scholars of hadith say that this has also been narrated regarding some other companions."

Sha'bi narrates that I heard Hazrat Nu'man bin Bashir (may Allah be pleased with him) saying that my respected father gave me some wealth, so my mother, Umrah bint Rawahah, said that I will not be pleased until you make the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) a witness to this. So he went to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and said, "O Messenger of Allah! I have given some wealth to the son of Umrah, and she says that I should make you a witness to it." The Prophet asked, "Have you given the same amount of wealth to each of your children?" He replied, "No!" The Prophet said, "Fear Allah and do justice among your children." He says that his father returned and took back his wealth.

Muhammad bin Nu’man narrates from his father that his father gifted him a slave, and then went to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to make him a witness to this. The Prophet asked, “Have you gifted such a slave to each of your children?” He replied, “No!” The Prophet said, “Then take back that slave from him.”

It is narrated from Sha’bi that Hazrat Nu’man bin Bashir (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him that my respected father took me to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) so that he could make you a witness to a gift which he had given me. The Prophet asked, “Do you have any other wealth besides this?” He replied, “Yes.” The Prophet asked, “Have you given every child of yours a gift like this?” He replied, “No.” Upon this, the Prophet said, “I cannot be a witness to injustice.”

Ibn Abi Najih says that when Hazrat Tawus was asked about this matter, he would recite this verse { أَفَحُکْمَ الْجَاہِلِیَّۃِ یَبْغُونَ } (Do they seek the judgment of ignorance?)

It is narrated from Zuhri that Hazrat Urwah said: "The injustice that is unacceptable for the deceased is also unacceptable for the living person."

Masm‘a bin Thabit narrates that Hazrat ‘Ikrimah used to dislike this matter.

It is narrated from Abu Ma'shar that Ibrahim said: The jurists considered it preferable that a man maintain equality among his children, even in matters such as kissing them.

It is narrated from Ash'ath that Hazrat Hakam disliked that a person should give preference to some children over others, but in judgment he would also permit it.

Aamir narrates that Hazrat Shurayh said that there is no harm if a person gives preference to some children over others.

Abu Hayyan narrates from his father that a neighbor of Hazrat Shurayh, who had more than one child, came to him and distributed his wealth among his children without considering equality. Then he called Hazrat Shurayh, and when he came, the man said, "O Abu Umayyah! I have distributed my wealth among my children and I did not observe equality, and now I make you a witness." Hazrat Shurayh said: "Allah's distribution is more just than your distribution. Cancel this distribution and distribute according to the shares fixed by Allah, and then make me a witness. Otherwise, do not make me a witness because I do not want to be a witness to injustice."

Muslim narrates that Hazrat Masruq went to a man who was making a will, and he made some inappropriate bequests. Hazrat said: "Indeed, Allah Almighty has made a very good distribution among you, and indeed, whoever turns away from Allah Almighty's decision in choosing an opinion will go astray. You should make a will for those among your relatives who desire your wealth, then let the wealth remain among those whom Allah Almighty has distributed it to."