On who is the obligation of taking care of aged parents?
Question
We are 2 daughters and have no brother. As it is mentioned that sons have to carry all obligations of their parents, what is ruling in our case since after marriage a woman is supposed to carry out what her husband says.
Answer
The obligation of taking care of aged parents who are ill and in need of assistance is upon both sons and daughters. Hence, in this case, since you do not have any brothers, you and your sister should try and take care of your aged parents to the best of your ability.
Apart from this, the teaching of the Quraan Majeed is that those relatives who are regarded as the heirs of any relative, they will be obligated to take care of that relative (in proportion to the percentage they will inherit from him/her) in the case where the relative is in need and cannot take care of himself. Hence, besides you and your sister, your parent's brothers and sisters should also assist.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
- Answered by
- Mufti Zakaria Makada
- Checked & approved by
- Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
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