Question
Assalamu Alaikum, I am an adult son living with my father. He enforces a strict vegetarian household — no meat, fish, or eggs allowed. I am not satiated by vegetarian food and I believe I am protein-deficient. This is affecting my health, energy levels, and ability to function. My father does not give me any personal money. I am a full-time student and will not be able to work for the next 18 months until I graduate. The only halal meat I currently eat is when my mother occasionally takes me to a halal restaurant (about once a week), but this is not enough. If I ask my father for money for food, he will refuse and tell me to eat what my mother packs. If he finds out I am eating meat, he will get angry. Asking him directly would cause conflict and is not a realistic option. The only way I can access adequate nutrition is by taking small amounts of money from him without his knowledge to buy halal food outside the home. My questions: Is it permissible for me to take a small, reasonable amount of money from my father without his knowledge to buy food for myself, given that he is not providing food that meets my nutritional needs and asking him would cause conflict? Does the hadith where the Prophet ﷺ permitted Hind bint Utbah to take from Abu Sufyan's wealth without his knowledge apply to my situation as a son whose father is not meeting his needs? JazakAllah Khair.
Islamic Ruling & Answer
VerifiedWalekumussalam,
In this situation, taking money from the father secretly would not be permissible, because the father is at least providing food, even if it is only vegetarian. A son does not have the right to use his father’s wealth without permission in this way.
Likewise, applying the hadith of Hind bint Utbah (RA) to this case is not appropriate, because that incident concerned a wife’s obligatory maintenance and the husband’s miserliness, whereas that situation does not exist here. Therefore, it would be better to try to fulfill one’s nutritional needs through some other lawful means.
Answered by
Mufti Tosif Qasmi
March 09, 2026
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