Is a husband entitled to prevent his wife (60 years old) from serving her sick mother? The husband prevents her for three reasons: first, she had knee surgery and lives two hours away from her mother. Second, he believes her responsibility is to care for her grandchildren, not her mother. Third, he believes the son is responsible for caring for his mother. He finally agreed to allow her to visit once every two weeks. What is the Shar’i ruling on this?

All praise is due to Allah, and prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah, and upon his family and companions. To proceed:

Serving one's parents when they are in need is obligatory upon children, both male and female. A married woman is obligated to serve her mother alongside her able siblings, either directly or through financial means. However, the husband's right over his wife is more emphatic than the rights of her parents, so she is not obliged to obey her parents if they command her to separate from her husband. If the husband does not permit her to serve her mother, she can help by hiring a servant or contributing to the wages. Some scholars are of the opinion that if a parent is in dire need of his daughter's service, she must serve him even if her husband forbids her. It is best for her to discuss the matter with her husband and seek his permission to serve her mother, and the husband should assist her in honoring her parents.