Is my failure to sit with my deceased mother and eat with her—due to my preoccupation with studying—considered an act of disobedience, despite the fact that I did not fall short in serving her? Is her smile at the time of death and the ease of her ritual washing considered among the signs of a good ending? Is it permissible to dedicate the reward of prayer and reading the Qur’an to her?

Kindness to parents and treating them well is obligatory. Therefore, one must deal with a sick mother with wisdom, gentleness, and soft speech. Allah Almighty says: "So do not say to them [anything that indicates] displeasure and do not scold them but speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, 'My Lord, have mercy upon them as they nurtured me when I was small.'" And one must obey her if she asks her daughter to eat with her or sit with her. However, if she does not ask, there is no sin, especially when preoccupied with studying. Uttering the Shahada at the time of death is a sign of goodness, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Whoever whose last words are 'La ilaha illa Allah' (There is no god but Allah) will enter Paradise."