Question:Is it permissible for a Muslim to remain uncircumcised?

Answer:In the name of Allah, circumcision is obligatory on the father as long as the child is young, and it becomes obligatory on the person himself once he grows up and reaches puberty. Allah knows best.

Question:Is it permissible for parents to expel their son from the house if he cannot afford housing on his own?

Answer:In the name of Allah, the father is obligated to provide the necessities of life to the extent required by the son’s needs—whether the son continues to live with him in the same house or not. Allah knows best.

Question:Is it permissible for parents to hit, insult, or verbally abuse their children for the purpose of discipline and upbringing? Doesn’t this contradict basic principles of child development, especially when the punishment becomes excessive?

Answer:In the name of Allah, parental discipline should not reach the level of physical punishment except when absolutely necessary. The tongue must also be guarded from insults and verbal abuse, as both are considered major sins in this context. Allah knows best.

Question:Is it obligatory to encourage a boy or girl to commit to prayer, hijab, or other religious duties before reaching the age of maturity, or is it not required since they haven’t reached puberty yet? Some argue that early encouragement helps ease the burden of obligation later—what is your view?

Answer:In the name of Allah, the narrations indicate the necessity of guiding both boys and girls so that they commit to religious obligations—especially prayer—once they reach the age of eight. Allah knows best.

Question:Who is primarily responsible for raising children—the mother or the father? What should be done if one of them neglects this responsibility? And in the case of separated parents, who bears the responsibility?

Answer:In the name of Allah, the responsibility lies upon the father. Allah knows best.

Question:What are my responsibilities towards my children?

Answer:In the name of Allah, a father should know that his child is a part of him, or in another sense, whole self. Therefore, he must strive to reform him to the best of his ability. Parents should be aware that children learn more from the behavior of their parents than from their words or from others. Allah is the Guide.

Question:Some parents take money from their children without their knowledge or forcibly, citing the hadith "You and what you own belong to your father." Is their action correct? And is the hadith authentic?

Answer:In the name of Allah, the hadith exists in our reliable books, but it is misunderstood by people. As for the ruling, it is not permissible for the father or mother to take money from their daughters or sons except after reaching adulthood and with their consent. If anyone commits such an error, they are liable. Allah is the Guide, and He is the Knower.

Question:I have a problem with my wife's mother. My wife passed away last year, leaving me with our six-year-old daughter who is currently with her mother's mother and refuses to return her to me. Moreover, she incites my daughter against me, and I have only spoken with her once. My daughter wants to live with me, and everyone in my wife's mother's house is non-mahram to my daughter. I kindly ask for clarification on the ruling regarding this matter, as they will respond to your authority. Also, I ask for guidance on any possible way that could help me?

Answer:In the name of Allah, my son, be advised that the right of custody belongs to the father for the son and to the mother's mother for the daughter for seven years from the time of birth. Suppose the mother's custody period ends or she passes away. In that case, the father has the right to his child more than anyone else in existence after Allah Almighty and after the absent Imam Mahdi (AJ). Once the child reaches puberty, he becomes independent. During both periods, the father is responsible for the child's expenses. In this case, it is obligatory for your wife's mother to hand over your daughter to you, and it is not permissible for her to keep her in her custody, especially in a household where there are non-mahram individuals for the daughter. Allah knows best.

Question:Some parents take money from their children without their knowledge or forcibly, citing the hadith "You and what you own belong to your father." Is their action correct? And is the hadith authentic?

Answer:In the name of Allah, the hadith exists in our reliable books, but it is misunderstood by people. As for the ruling, it is not permissible for the father or mother to take money from their daughters or sons except after reaching adulthood and with their consent. If anyone commits such an error, they are liable. Allah is the Guide, and He is the Knower.

Question:I have a problem with my wife's mother. My wife passed away last year, leaving me with our six-year-old daughter who is currently with her mother's mother and refuses to return her to me. Moreover, she incites my daughter against me, and I have only spoken with her once. My daughter wants to live with me, and everyone in my wife's mother's house is non-mahram to my daughter. I kindly ask for clarification on the ruling regarding this matter, as they will respond to your authority. Also, I ask for guidance on any possible way that could help me?

Answer:In the name of Allah, my son, be advised that the right of custody belongs to the father for the son and to the mother's mother for the daughter for seven years from the time of birth. Suppose the mother's custody period ends or she passes away. In that case, the father has the right to his child more than anyone else in existence after Allah Almighty and after the absent Imam Mahdi (AJ). Once the child reaches puberty, he becomes independent. During both periods, the father is responsible for the child's expenses. In this case, it is obligatory for your wife's mother to hand over your daughter to you, and it is not permissible for her to keep her in her custody, especially in a household where there are non-mahram individuals for the daughter. Allah knows best.