Does the deceased wife's alimony become obligatory upon her male children only, or upon all of her children? And if it is obligatory upon the males only, then is it obligatory upon the daughters to serve her in her house with their husbands' approval, or should the males provide her with a maid?

If a woman whose husband has passed away is capable of providing for herself, her maintenance is her own responsibility. If she is poor, her maintenance is obligatory upon her capable children, both male and female, equally. Scholars are unanimous regarding the obligation of maintenance for poor parents, based on Allah's saying: "And accompany them in the world with kindness," and the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Indeed, the purest of what a man eats is from his earning, and his child is from his earning."

Similarly, serving parents when needed, due to old age or illness, is obligatory upon children, both male and female, equally. This service is not waived for males if they alone provide the maintenance. And whoever cannot perform the service himself must pay for someone to do it. Thus, among the rights of parents is to serve them if they, or one of them, are in need of service.