Question:
A couple had two daughters. They raised them well and got them married. The daughters do not have their own income; they depend on their husbands. Now, the parents are old and unable to work. They are struggling with daily and medical expenses. Who is responsible for their care? The question implies that since they have no sons, is it the duty of the daughters?
Answer:
The command to be good to parents is for both sons and daughters. The Qur’an mentions it repeatedly alongside the command to worship Allahﷻ alone. It is addressed to all believers, male and female.
If a son is present, he has the primary responsibility. But in the absence of a son, the responsibility falls on the daughters. There is no differentiation in the command. Allahﷻ says: “Worship Allahﷻ and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good…” (Qur’an 4:36). This is for everyone.
There are several hadith that also illustrate this. For instance, in Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 1852), a woman came to the Prophetﷺ and said her mother had vowed to perform Hajj but died without fulfilling it. The Prophetﷺ told her to perform Hajj on her mother’s behalf. He then asked, “If your mother had a debt, would you pay it?” She said yes. He said, “Then pay the debt of Allahﷻ, for it is more deserving to be paid.” This shows that a daughter is responsible for fulfilling her mother’s obligations.
Another example is Asma (RA), the daughter of Abu Bakr (RA). Her mother, who was not a Muslim, came to her in Madinah seeking help. Asma (RA) asked the Prophetﷺ if she could be kind to her and provide for her. The Prophetﷺ said, “Yes, maintain ties with your mother.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2620). Asma (RA) was living with her husband, Zubair (RA). The Prophetﷺ’s instruction shows that a married daughter has the right to bring her parents into her home and care for them, and her husband cannot prevent her from fulfilling this duty.
Therefore, in the case described, the two daughters have a religious duty to care for their aging parents. They must find a way, with their husbands’ cooperation, to support them, provide for them, and ensure their well-being. The husbands should also understand that supporting their wives’ parents is part of maintaining a good and kind marital relationship. It is not just a favor but a religious responsibility that falls upon the daughters, and by extension, the husbands are the means for them to fulfill it.