Hadith 3411

(1) The statement: I have wealth, and my father needs my wealth, etc.: This Hadith indicates the obligation of maintenance for a parent on their child. In detail: Two conditions are considered for the obligation of maintenance for ascendants. First, the one for whom maintenance is obligatory must be poor, even if capable of earning, as if they have wealth, their maintenance is from their wealth, and maintenance for a wealthy person is not obligatory on anyone except a wealthy wife, whose maintenance is obligatory on her husband as compensation for her confinement. Maintenance for others is obligatory for kinship, and kinship is only obligatory in need, which is poverty. The basis is Allah’s statement: And accompany them in this world with kindness [Luqman: 15], meaning the parents, and all ascendants are included. It is not acceptable for an ascendant to die of hunger while living in Allah’s blessings. Second, the one upon whom maintenance is obligatory must be wealthy, as a poor person needs others, so how can maintenance for another be obligatory on him? Maintenance is not obligatory on a poor person except for a wife and minor child. [Umdat Ar-Ri’ayah]