Title: Do Parents Have the Right to Kill Their Children? Question: Could you please tell me if a father kills his son, is he punishable by hadd? Based on the hadith in which the Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said to a man (in the presence of his father): "You and your money belong to your father", and the reports in which the Prophet (PBUH) said that one's progeny are one's earning (Kasb) many scholars deduce from these narratives that if a father murders his own son, he is not liable for hadd punishment. he may however be punishable by ta`zir. What is your understanding? Is this also the case if he kills his daughter? A related question is: Can a father ask his son to divorce his wife? many scholars present the Prophet Ibrahim's (PBUH) story in which he is said to have visited Prophet Ismail's (PBUH) house (while Ismail (PBUH) was away), was treated rudely by his wife (who was unaware of who he was) and left a message for him to "change the threshold of his house", which implied divorcing his wife. Was this merely a recommendation? Or a standing order from a father to his son? They also present Hazrat `Umar's case, where he ordered his son to divorce his wife. Answer: The Shari'ah is absolute and clear regarding murder: life is sacred and can only be taken as a punishment for widespread corruption. It is by no means to be taken lightly. In light of its gravity, it should be appreciated that the punishment for murder must be meted out according to the Shari'ah , regardless of the status of the killer. Firstly, the saying of the Prophet (pbuh) should be placed in the correct perspective. It is not to give a legal right to the parent, but in fact to pacify an aggrieved child who could even have brought a claim against his father, under the influence of his grievance. "You and your wealth is your father's" is in fact to make the child realize the moral rights of parents over their children. It is not to give a legal right to the father to take whatever he wants from his son. Stealing money from a son's wallet, for instance, will still be stealing and punishable if brought to the court of law. However, a child should not view this act as stealing and should recognize it as his father's moral right over himself and whatever he possesses. In short, the narrative teaches a good child the extent to which he should see the rights of his parent's over him. It is not to give parents any legal right in personal affairs, property or life. As for children being a parent's earnings it could be understood in this saying, "you reap what you sow." In other words, the efforts one places on bearing and raising children and how a child grows up are the earnings of the work they put in the children. When the child grows up to pray for the parents it is one of the greatest blessings one can gain. It is clear, keeping in mind the explanations, that neither hadith supports the idea that a father may kill their offspring without punishment. The parent that kills is just as guilty as any other person who murders. There is no difference in sex; whether it is the father or mother doing the killing or son or daughter being the victims. Similarly, divorcing one's wife should be a person's own decision and judgment. Who in this day and age has the privilege of having a father like the prophet Abraham (pbuh)? A parent may ask his child to divorce his spouse only because he physically is able. However, there is nothing at all that would impel the son or daughter to do as requested. It would merely be a request that has no religious backing. Such a request should be considered on its merits but one should not assume that if it comes from a parent that it carries with it religious sanctity because it does not. We are to have the utmost respect and regard for our parents and we are to be obedient to them; however, in the case of divorce, which is tremendously disliked by the Almighty, there must be some valid reason for the request. Even still, in that case, it is up to the person to choose divorce. The hadith related to the prophets Abraham and Ishmael (pbut) expresses Prophet Abraham's wish for his son's divorce due to her ingratitude and poor outlook. It was merely a suggestion based on reasonable observations of the wife complaining and bad-mouthing her husband to another man. These characteristics were indicative of pure negativity and therefore the suggestion was made. In regards to Umar's (ra) "command" it should be appreciated that that was also related to a mere suggestion much like the prophet Abraham had done. These personalities are of the highest caliber and did not give such advice to their own children off of whims. Thus we should learn from these two examples that the parent's role never retires and their suggestions should be considered because of their unconditional love. Parents should be the jewels of our hearts, we should respect them and love them; they never stop being our parents and we never stop being their children. This is the blessing God has bestowed upon us. I hope I have clarified the issue. God knows best. Ronnie Hassan January 22, 2007