Q: What is the responsibility of a Muslim man towards supporting his kids and wife and supporting his parents? I have been working since I got married assisting my husband support our children as his money went towards supporting his parents putting his sister through school etc. At times he did not have a job and he used my money. We do not have our own house and live with his parents to look after them since he is the only son. We do not even go away on holiday without taking his parents and married sister along. However I recently found out that his mother decided that if she dies the house will go to my husband but if he dies before her, she will give the house to his married sister who has not even taken her parents to a restaurant or a holiday. She eats for free by us on weekends and holidays but buys takeaways quietly for herself and her husband. Is this justice? What then will become of me and my kids who are still young eldest 12? Why is it my responsibility to provide for our kids? Where in Islam does it say that he is forced to live and support his parents and that I should live under his mother's rules.
A: If he is taking good care of yourself and his children then he has accomplished his responsibilities.
This type of a will is not recognized in Shari'ah and making this type of a will is forbidden and haraam. The son and daughter are heirs in the mother's estate and being heirs, their shares have already been stipulated. There cannot be any additions or changes to this.
It is not a shar`ee requirement for you to listen to your mother-in-law. Notwithstanding this, it is better to exercise some level of tolerance and understanding.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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