Giving the dutiful son and depriving the undutiful one

Q 5: I have two sons, one of them is dutiful towards me and his mother and the other is undutiful to us. I would like to grant all my property, including the real estate, to my dutiful son and to deprive the other of his inheritance. What is the ruling on this matter?

A: It is not permissible for parents to give preference to one of their children over the other when giving gifts, because the Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed saying, “Fear Allah and treat your children fairly.” as this will lead to envy, grudges, hatred, enmity, and resentment between the brothers. It also conflicts with the objectives of the Shari‘ah (Islamic law), which came to encourage harmony, strengthening ties of kinship, love, and affection between relatives. It is obligatory for parents to reform their undutiful children, using methods that do not harm their familial life in this world or in the Hereafter. They should also make much Du‘a’ (supplication) that their children will be upright and righteous. Allah is the One Whose help is to be sought. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.