What is the ruling on a wife who does not care for her elderly father-in-law, nor for the cleanliness of his home and its facilities, and neglects her household responsibilities under the pretext that "this is not her home"?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
A wife is not obligated to live with her husband's family or serve his father. However, doing so is an act of kindness and noble character. As for her service to her husband and cleaning her home, that is her duty according to what is customary, and her dereliction in it is a sin. She should be advised gently regarding serving her husband's elderly father, and reminded of the great reward associated with it if her intention is sincere. Assistance can also be sought from some righteous relatives.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/165697
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 165697
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy