Prayer TimesAlimony refers to the financial or material support that one person is obliged to provide to another who has the right to receive it. The most common form of alimony is payments for child support. Although the term "alimony" itself is not found in Islamic law, the concept of providing for dependents (nafaqa) is well established. This means the head of the household is responsible for ensuring that those under his care have their essential needs met, such as food, medicine, clothing, shelter, and so on.
The responsibility for providing for young children falls on the father until they reach a certain age. This support includes the child's food, clothing, and medical expenses. Even if the child reaches adulthood but is unable to work due to ongoing studies or disability, the father must continue to provide for them. For daughters, this support continues until they get married.
Even after a divorce, a father does not become free of his responsibilities and obligations toward his children. He must provide for his ex-wife during her 'iddah period and for his children until they reach the specified age. Allah the Almighty says:
"The mothers shall give suck to their children for two whole years, (that is) for those (parents) who desire to complete the term of suckling. The father of the child shall bear the cost of the mother's food and clothing on a reasonable basis. No person shall have a burden laid on him greater than he can bear." (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:233).
Imam Ibn Munzir said: "All scholars unanimously agree that a father must provide for his young children. A child is a part of a person, and just as one must feed oneself, so too must one feed one's child."
If the father is able to work, the obligation to provide for his children remains on him. The amount of support is determined according to the father's means. Allah says in the Qur'an:
"Let the man of wealth spend according to his means, and the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what Allah has given him." (Surah At-Talaq, 65:7).
Every parent is responsible for their child; children are a trust. The Noble Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"All of you are shepherds and all of you are responsible for your flock. The ruler is a shepherd and is responsible for his subjects. A man is a shepherd over his family and is responsible for them. A woman is a shepherd over her husband's house and children and is responsible for them."
Therefore, even after divorce, it is a religious obligation for the father to support and raise his children (pay alimony) and provide them with a good upbringing. Avoiding this duty, hiding income, or paying less than required is sinful. Men will be held accountable for this sin both in this world before the law and in the Hereafter before Allah.
Medet Kurmashuly,
"Iman" magazine, No.2, 2023
This content was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by an editor.