Islamic Ruling on Equal Treatment Between Sons and Daughters

Shari‘ah Ruling on Justice Between Children
✒ Fatwa by the Saudi Permanent Committee for Islamic Rulings

◈ Obligation of Fairness Between Sons and Daughters​

Islam mandates that equal and just treatment be maintained between sons and daughters when distributing gifts or wealth during one’s lifetime. It is not permissible to show preference to sons while excluding daughters.

◈ Evidence from the Sunnah​

In Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, it is narrated from Nuʿmān ibn Bashīr رضي الله عنه:


His father gave him a slave as a gift and went to the Prophet ﷺ to make him a witness. The Prophet ﷺ asked:
"Have you given the same to all your children?"
He replied: “No.”
The Prophet ﷺ then said:
"Fear Allah and be just among your children."
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 2587; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1622/18)


In another narration, the Prophet ﷺ said:


"I do not bear witness to injustice."
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 2650; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1266/14)

◈ Key Ruling​

✔ It is wājib (obligatory) to maintain justice between sons and daughters.
✔ Favoring sons over daughters in gift-giving or asset allocation during one’s lifetime is a form of injustice and prohibited in Shari‘ah.

🖋 Reference:​

Permanent Committee for Islamic Rulings – Fatwa No. 2225