Serving the in-laws

· 4 Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah 1434 AH1 min readEnglish

Question

Is it mandatory for a wife to serve her in laws like doing their household work? Is it a right of a wife to live separate from her in laws? What are the teachings of Islam?

Answer

It is not an obligation. However, Islam requires us to live with respect and cooperation. She needs to have a room of her own and a kitchen of her own.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

References (Arabic / Urdu sources)

وعلى الزوج أن يسكنها في دار مفردة ليس فيها أحد من أهله إلا أن تختار ذلك لآن السكنى من كفايتها فتجب لها كالنفقة وقد أوجبه الله تعالى مقرونا بالنفقة وإذا أوجب حقا لها ليس له أن يشرك غيرها فيه لأنها تتضرر به فإنها لا تأمن على متاعها ويمنعها ذلك عن المعاشرة مع زوجها ومن الاستمتاع إلا أن تختار لأنها رضيت بانتقاص حقها وإن كان له ولد من غيرها فليس له أن يسكنه معها لما بينا ولو أسكنها في بيت من الدار مفرد وله غلق كفاها لأن المقصود قد حصل. (الهداية 2/441)

Answered by
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
Questions about this ruling, answered only from the archive with sources.

Where scholars differ, it’s safer to take the more cautious view.

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