Fatwa ID: 05411
Answered by: Mufti Muhammad Afzal Hussain
Question
My father got married again at the age of 63 when my mother died. After four years my father died. Now his second wife is living in my father’s house and we four siblings have no objection regarding her living there. For her expenditure we let her keep all the rent money that comes from our father property but she along with her mother and siblings often calls me and claim more money from my monthly salary. They say that it is my fard. But sadly I cannot afford to do so. We don’t want anything from that rent or even any part of the property. She can keep it all. But sending her more money is not possible. The way they ask for more and more money sounds quite greedy. She has my father’s house and all my mother’s gold. So now is it my responsibility to send her money every month.
In the name of Allah the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Answer
Allah puts no burden on any person: Allah the Exalted says: “Let the rich man spend according to his means, and the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what Allah has given him. Allah asks nothing of any soul except that which He has given it.” (At-Talaq: 7) “Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope. He gets reward for that (good) which he has earned, and he is punished for that (evil) which he has earned.” (Al-Baqarah: 286)
Therefore, you will not be accountable for the things which are impossible for you. If you spend on them you will get a reward. As Allah, the Exalted says: “And whatsoever you spend of anything He will replace it.” (Saba: 39)
Narrated Umm Salamah (RA) I asked Allah’s Messenger (SWS) “Would I have a reward for what I spend on Abu Salamah’s sons? For I can’t let them go everywhere.” Allah’s Messenger replied, “spend on them and you will have the reward for what you spend on them.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim, Riyadus Saliheen: 291)
Narrated Ibn Umar (RA), Allah’s Messenger (SWS) said: “If anyone fulfils his brother’s needs, Allah will fulfil his needs; if one relieves a Muslim of troubles, Allah will relieve his troubles on the day of resurrection.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim, Riyadus Salaheen: 244) This hadeeth tells us that we should fulfil the needs of Muslims (according to our capacity) for the pleasure of Allah only, regardless of any vested interest or worldly motive. It is a very meritorious approach.
Do not cut off relations: Ubadahaz-Zurqani said: ” I was sitting in the Masjid of Madina with Amr bin Uthman when Abdullah bin Salam walked by us. He was leaning on his nephew. Abdullah bin Salam (RA) passed through the assembly. Then he turned and said, ‘Do whatever you like, By the one who sent Muhammad (SAW) with the Truth, it is in the book of Allah (the Torah) ‘ Do not cut relations with those who had ties with your father otherwise your light would be put out.’ ” (Adabul Mufrad: 42)
Though they sound greedy: Muhammad bin Ali al-Hanafiyyah said about the verse, “Can the repayment of goodness be other than goodness?” (55:60) Goodness is for both the observant and the erring. (Adabul Mufrad: 130)
Finally, one should maintain good relation with the stepmother as the Prophet of Allah said: “The finest act of goodness is that a person should treat kindly the loved one of his father.” (Muslim, Riyadus Saliheen: 341)
- Rabiah as-Saaidee (RA) reported that we were sitting with Allah’s Messenger (SWS) when a man of Banu Salamah came to him and asked, O Messenger of Allah! Is there any obedience to parents left that I can show to them after their demise? He (SAS) replied, Yes, to pray for them, to supplicate for their forgiveness, to fulfil their promises after their death, to maintain the ties of kinship which cannot be maintained except through them, and to honour their friends.” (Abu-Dawud, Riyadus Saliheen: 343)
Only Allah Knows Best
Written by Mufti Muhammad Afzal Hussain
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
