Darul Ifta Ibn Masood

Responsibility of taking care of elderly parents

· 7 Jumada II 1445 AH1 min readEnglish

Question

Please advise on what role, both financially and otherwise children play in taking care of their parents. All children are working and earning well. The parents are retired and living on their own.

Answer

1. Your query states that all your siblings are financially stable and earning well. If your parents need financial assistance, then it is the duty of all their children (both males and females) to equally share their expenses.

2. Similarly, both the sons and daughters should take turns to take care of their parents if they require the service of their children. Serving one’s parents is a means of salvation in the hereafter. [Aap Ke Masaa’il Aur Unka Hal Pg. 557 / 562 Vol.8]

References (Arabic / Urdu sources)

ولو كان له ابنان فنفقته عليهما على السواء وكذا إذا كان له ابن وبنت ولا يفضل الذكر على الأنثى في النفقة؛ لاستوائهما في سبب الوجوب وهو الولادة (بدائع الصنائع ص32 ج4)

ويجب على الأولاد ذكورهم وإناثهم نفقة الوالدين (البناية شرح الهداية ص699 ج5)

وَإِذَا كَانَ الْأَوْلَادُ ذُكُورًا وَإِنَاثًا مُوسِرِينَ فَنَفَقَةُ الْأَبَوَيْنِ عَلَيْهِمْ بِالسَّوِيَّةِ فِي أَظْهَرِ الرِّوَايَتَيْنِ (المبسوط للسرخسي ص222 ج5)

Answered by
Mufti Mohammed Desai
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Source: Darul Ifta Ibn Masood — https://fataawa.co.za/responsibility-of-taking-care-of-elderly-parents/
Fatawa SA: https://fatawa.co.za/fatwa/ibnmasood-29013

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