Question:
I have been living with my widowed father for the last 10 years, together with my own family. My father is of ill health and is elderly and day by day only getting weaker. I have 5 other siblings who never help with my father just because I am living with him. We are now thinking of leaving him so that the others can come and do their share, as i feel I should not be the only one looking after him. I don`t want to leave, but it seems my life has been taken over by this and I don`t have enough time for my husband or my girls whilst the others are enjoying their lives. My siblings treat fathers house as a bed and breakfast with no regard for me and my family. Please advice what i should do?
Thank you
Answer:
wa `alaykum salam ,
The fact is you are doing what you should, birr al-walidayn, goodness to parents, the best of deeds according to the verse:
{Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do good, to parents . . .} (an-Nisa, 4:36)
`Abdullah ibn Mas`ud (r) said:
“I asked the Prophet (s), ‘Which deed is most liked by Allah?” He said, “Prayer offered on time.” I asked him, “Then what?” He said, “Kindness and respect towards parents.’” I asked him, “Then what?” He said, “Jihad for the sake of Allah.”
Continue to do that and to reap its rewards, without regard for what the others are doing.
Taher Siddiqui
