Responsibility of taking care of old parents

Q: There seems to be a growing trend amongst our Muslims to pass on the responsibility of taking care of elderly parents to the daughters. Sons are evading the responsibilities although they inherit 2 shares and daughter in laws are afraid to accept that's it's the husband's responsibility and use hundreds of justifications on why the daughter should look after the elderly parents. Although knowledgeable about Allah's wisdom in choosing the sons, but are in total denial. In some instances, daughters are battling financially but are bullied into taking over the responsibility of the sons. Please advise and also have this as an ongoing discussion because people are conveniently stuck in their thinking about this issues because it doesn't serve their needs or are in huge denial although clearly spelt out in Allah's commands.

A: The responsibility of taking care of old parents is upon all the children equally.

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

 

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)