If the father refuses to provide his children’s maintenance, he forfeits the right to custody, even if his refusal is aimed at hurting the mother. This indicates that he is not to be trusted to take care of his children’s interests. The mother has the right to ask him in court for maintenance of his children.

1. Custody of the child is a right that is shared by the spouses if they are still married. If divorce occurs, then the mother has more right to custody. But if she remarries, custody passes to the next in line. 2. If the woman does not remarry and the child reaches the age of seven, if the child is male, he is given the choice between his father and his mother, and he will live with the one whom he chooses. However, if the child is female, there are different opinions regarding that. 3. Child custody ends when the child reaches puberty and the age of maturity, at which time he may choose whichever he wishes of his parents. The child also has the right to live separately from them if he is male. 4. Spending on the children’s maintenance during custody is the duty of the father.

1. The irrevocably divorced woman is not entitled to maintenance or accommodation, unless she is pregnant. 2. Mut`ah is only to be given to a woman who is divorced before consummation of the marriage. 3. If a husband has issued a first or second divorce to his wife, and has not taken her back before the `Iddah ended, then she is entitled to maintenance during the `Iddah. 4. If the ex-wife is the one who has custody of his children, she may request payment for taking care of them. 5. The husband must spend on his children, which includes accommodation, food, drink, clothing, school costs, medical care and all that they need.