Verse: "Upon the father is the mothers' provision and their clothing in a fair manner." (2:233)
Types of obligatory financial support:
- Wife's support: Obligatory on the husband — includes food, clothing, housing, and medical care. Due from the valid contract until divorce or death.
- Children's support: On the father — "upon the father is their provision" — obligatory until puberty for sons and until marriage for daughters.
- Parents' support: Obligatory on the capable child — "and be kind to parents" — condition is their incapacity.
- Relatives' support: For those without a father among heirs — conditions are poverty and inability to earn.
Amount of support: "In a fair manner" (bil-ma'ruf) — sufficient for actual needs according to the husband's means and local custom — neither excessive nor miserly.
Question: Who is obligated to pay support? What does "bil-ma'ruf" (fair manner) mean in determining its amount?
Answer: Husband for wife, father for children, capable child for incapacitated parents. "Fair manner" means sufficient for actual needs per his means and local custom.