Is the wife obligated to serve her husband's mother or to sit with her? Is it permissible to compel her to do so? What are the implications of leaving her free in this regard concerning a man's dutifulness to his mother? And how can a man balance his dutifulness to his mother with his familial responsibilities?

The wife is not obligated to serve her husband's mother or any other of his relatives, and the husband does not have the right to compel her to do so. However, he can encourage her and explain that showing kindness to his mother is a part of good companionship. If she refuses, there is no blame on the husband, nor is he considered deficient in honoring his mother. His honoring of her is by expending what he is able to of her care, service, and obedience to her in what is right, while balancing his duties towards his mother, wife, and children.