Miscellaneous

Should one go abroad to work or serve his aged parents?

Q: My parents are aged. MashaAllah both are alive. My father is in 80’s and my mother is in 70’s. I’m the youngest child and my age is 25 years. I’m a resident of Pakistan and I've got admission in Ireland.

If I talk about the opportunity, it has a bright scope in future to move to Ireland. If I talk about my parents relationship then I’m in a doubt whether I’m missing the opportunity to live with my parents in their old age.

I seek your guidance whether to go to Ireland or continue to live with my parents in the light of the Holy Quran and the teachings of Nabi Muhammad (sallalaho alaihi wasallam) so that my heart could feel relief and I could further take a decision.

Greeting a non-Muslim helper

Q: My nani is bedridden. She has a female Christian attendant who comes everyday in the morning and leaves at night. She wanted to know if she can say salam to her when she comes in the morning. If not, then how should she greet her when she comes? Not saying anything appears rude and cold.

Getting a fixed retainer on one's teeth

Q: Do you think I can get a fixed (permanent) retainer as opposed to a plastic retainer for my teeth which I can get off and on, just for the simple reason that I feel like a plastic retainer which you take on and off and have to possibly wear forever, will be a nuisance? There have been cases where not wearing your retainer will result in your teeth shifting, which would be a huge waste of money that was spent on braces. I feel like a fixed retainer will be easier for me.

Obeying one's parents

Q: Who makes decisions for a child after the age of 13/14? If it is the child who makes the decision, then what will happen to the parents if they forcefully make the child do otherwise and likewise if the parents make the decisions and the child does not obey?