Looking after one's mother

Q: I have a question relating to a child's obligation toward parents. I want to ask question relating to family vacation or social activity. If a wife and husband work jointly to pay for a family vacation and the mum wants to go on holiday as well, I have a question:

1) Can a credit card or credit facility be used to fund the mum's holiday?

2) Can the mum travel without a mahram if she is over 60?

What is the obligation of the son in this regard? Can he politely decline the payment of the holiday due to inadequate funds and also disallow the holiday as no mahram is present? Will the son be punished in the eyes of Allah for doing this? Also what happens when the money one's son gives to a mum on debt and that is being used to buy lavish gifts for the other son and his family? What happens in essence if a mum thinks a child has the financial means and expects all expenses and holidays to be paid for when a child in essence is living on finance?

A:

1. A credit facility normally is subject to some loan which can amount to paying of interest which is a curse.

2. No

The best thing would be to stay at home and look after the mother.

What has been given to the mother as a gift should not be accounted for.

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

 

Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)