Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalam-Alaikum Wa Rehmatuallahi Wa Barakatahu

Referring to the the question and answer below, What if the husband only has a mother (father has passed away)?  What should the husband do if the wife wants a separate house but he is the mehram of both his mother and his wife?

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Wife wants a separate house but husband has a widow mother

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

If a wife exercises her right to a separate house, and the husband can afford it, he must fulfill this right of his wife. But it is his responsibility that he must, in all humility and politeness, serve his widowed mother. If there is no one to live with his mother, he must provide a servant to serve her; and if that is not possible it is his duty to live with his mother and fulfill her every need, while occasionally visiting his wife and fulfilling all her rights as well.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan