Question
My son has been working in my business for a couple of years. All his expenses come from the business. I initiated the business. He was assisting me to run the business. He now says that since he has worked and improved the business, the vehicle belongs to him, and because I am not physically all the time in the business, he told me to withdraw, and that the business now belongs to him. He does not want me to come to the business. I have withdrawn and he has taken over the business for himself. What is the Shariah's ruling? Can a son assume control of his father's business on the basis of him being the main worker or manager?
Answer
You did not explain if your son is a Muslim or a kaafir. If he is a kaafir, then his conduct and usurpation are understandable. But if he professes to be a Muslim, then his haraam act of usurpation is inexplicable. Children NEVER become the owners of their father's business even if they work 24 hours daily for 365 days a year and even if they placed the business sky high. They remain subservient to their father. The business and all the assets belong to only the father. The children are entitled to only their expenses. Your son is exceptionally evil. The Imaan of such a satanically disobedient son is in jeopardy. It is recorded in the Hadith that disobedient children may die without being able to recite the Kalimah. The insolence and treachery of your son are horrible and satanic. And, you did not conduct yourself as a father. You were supposed to have physically kicked the rubbish coprocreep out of the business when he ordered your expulsion. This type of conduct displayed by children is among the Signs of Qiyaamah. In this regard, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "A man will obey his wife, insolently disobey his mother, bring near to him his friend and distance himself from his father…."
Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "The pleasure of Allah is in the pleasure of (your) father, and the displeasure of Allah is in the displeasure of (your) father."
"Your father is your middle gate of entry into Jannat. Therefore guard that entrance or destroy it if you wish."
"Of the greatest acts of piety is that a man is kind to the family of his father's friends after he (the father) has died." "Three Duas are Mustajaab (readily accepted by Allah Ta'ala) – the Dua of the father; the Dua of the Musaafir and the Dua of the Mazloom (oppressed)."
In this particular case, the father is also the mazloom – being oppressed insolently by his evil son. Once Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) told a Sahaabi: "You and your wealth belong to your father." Sons should remember and understand well that for the rest of their lives they remain the slaves of their fathers. Either Jannat or Jahannum is by their volitional choice.
- Source
- themajlis.co.za
- Published in
- The Majlis Vol 21 No 08
- PDF page
- 10
Appears under EVERYTHING BELONGS TO THE FATHER (approximate).