🏡 Rights & responsibilities · #277

My husband wants me to look after his frail parents full-time. Is that my obligation?

Caring for elderly parents is the obligation of their child, that is, your husband, not an obligation that originally rests on the daughter-in-law. Even so, helping to care for your in-laws is a great kindness that nourishes love in the family, if you are able and willing. Discuss it openly with your husband: he still needs to carry the main responsibility and arrange help, not hand everything over to you. Agree on what you can do without being overburdened, and ask for help from your husband's siblings or outside services. Intend your service as charity, not a compulsion stored up as resentment. Appreciate and support each other. See in-laws.

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This answer is general reference, not a fatwa. For your situation, consult the religious affairs office, a Syarie lawyer or your state Syariah Court.

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