I am an earning hand for my family consisting of my mother, father and a young sister

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:

AOA, I am an earning hand for my family consisting of my mother, father and a young sister. My elder brother after his love marriage and disputes between my mother & his wife have separated almost 5 years ago. My father being old and a heart patient do not do anything, hence does not earn. My mother is a house wife and is a patient of arthritis. My younger sister is also ill and is a patient of ulcerative collitus. This decease is not curable and research is unable to answer its reasons and cures yet. I have to not only look after the health of my parents and my sister but also earn for the livelihood for the family, living in a rented house and no other source of income.

My brother does never contributed any penny for parents or on me or my younger sis. I am still unmarried due to these circumstances and tight financial conditions. He comes to our home to meet parents but often fights with them and shouts at them. They remain depressed on his behavior.

My questions are:

1) What is the obligation on me towards my parents and my sister? Is it obligatory on me from Islam to take care for them my whole life the same way?

2) What is the obligation on me regarding my own and my sister marriage from Islamic point of view?

3) How the attitude and behavior of my brother would be treated in Islam?

4) How can I make my parents give some relief and soothe their feelings about my brother's attitude?

5) People use to say that in the earnings of a female, there is no barkat although earned from halal source and parents have no right on earning of unmarried girl. If she use to spend her income on them then it would be her hasana. Is it true?

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Answer:

Earning of a Female

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 none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Sister you should be thankful to your Majestic Lord for giving you the opportunity to serve your parents and sister. You cannot imagine the reward that you have earned from your Lord Creator.

Every child, whether male or female is duty bound to serve their parents to the best of their ability. Your elder brother will be severely accountable on that inevitable Day of Judgement for neglecting his duty towards his parents. This life is very short but the life of the hereafter is forever. So if Allah swt has willed a trial for you in this transitional life then you should gladly and willingly accept and earn the ajr (reward).

Your marriage is but a sunnah, but to care and serve your parents is fard. So never ever shirk this responsibility and always be thankful to Allah swt for all His Bounties and Mercies. There is no truth that the earnings of a female has no barakah. As far as your family is concerned your earnings are full of barakah, InshaAllah. Of course your striving to serve your parents is hasana and InshaAllah Allah swt will add from His infinite Rahmah more blessings for you and grant you jannah.

May Allah swt have Mercy upon you and your parents and sister and make your trial easy. Make as many supplications as you can. Perform the obligatory prayers in their prescribed times, read the Noble Quran in a language that you can understand, fast during Ramadhan, keep righteous company, do good deeds always and relentlessly serve your parents without showing ehsaan.

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

Your brothers and well wishers in Islam,

 

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