A few days ago, someone tweeted on X that your parents are not your responsibility. The tweet generated so much debates and reactions among fellow users. Some users agreed with the tweet, and some opposed it. Those who opposed it argued from religious and moral perspectives.

Some of those who agreed with the tweet submitted that it was the choice of the parents to birth their children, hence it becomes their responsibility to raise them. However, the children are not required to reciprocate the gesture because they never asked for it in the first place.

As Muslims, our thoughts and actions must always be guided by the dictates of the Sharī'ah and not by those of our whims. Some of the comments I read from supposed Muslims on the matter is disappointing and heartbreaking to say the least. So, if we all agree that the dictates of the Sharī'ah are our ultimate guide, what does it say about this issue?

Firstly, Islam commands 5 things when it comes to parents. These are:

1. Obedience: Every child owes his/her parents total obedience in all matters except where such obedience constitutes a disobedience to Allāh and His Messenger.

Disobedience to one's parents is a MAJOR sin in Islam. The Prophet ﷺ said: "A disobedient child will NOT enter Jannah."

2. Respect: Showing respect to one's parents is a fundamental principle of the Sharī'ah, to the extent that it is forbidden to ignore, disregard, cheat, lie to, or raise one's voice at them (Qur'ān 17:23)

3. Dutifulness: The Sharī‘ah obligates every child to be dutiful to his/her parents and submit himself/herself to them completely. Serve your parents is the second of the sacred commandments (Qur'ān 4:36, 17:23). During the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ, a young man enlisted in the army for an expedition. The Prophet asked him, "are your parents alive?" He replied in the affirmative. The Prophet ﷺ directed him to go back home and take care of them. That, for him, was the Jihād.

4. Compassion: Being compassionate and empathetic to one's parents especially in their old or weak age is an obligation on every child. In Qur'ān 17:24, Allāh says:
"and spread over them humbly the wings of thy tenderness, and say: "O my Sustainer! Bestow Thy grace upon them, even as they cherished and reared me when I was a child!"

5. Charity: The Sharī‘ah obligates every child to spend on his parents first before extending his hand of generosity to others. In Qur'ān 2:215, Allāh says:
The people ask, "What should we spend?" Tell them, "Whatever you spend, spend for your parents, your relatives, orphans, the needy and the wayfarer; and whatever good you do, Allah has knowledge of it."

This brings us back to the question of whether or not a child is responsible for taking care of his/her parents. The simple answer is a capital YES! Your parents are your responsibility as highlighted above.

However, the degree of responsibility varies according to the capacity of both the parent and the child. What this means is that where the parents are financially comfortable and can take care of their own needs, the child is not obligated to provide for them. He is not sinful for not spending on them.

My father was so comfortable that even when he died, what he left in his account I am yet to have it even with my pension balance combined. This was a man that was supporting me with ₦100,000 every year for my postgraduate programme frok Masters to PhD until he died. Whatever one does for such a parent is considered as a form of charity to attract their affection and prayers.

However, if one's parents are destitute or weak and cannot fend for themselves or do not have enough to sustain themselves, it becomes OBLIGATORY on the child to provide for them after providing for himself, his wife, and kids. This is a matter of consensus among the scholars of Islam. Ibn Al-Mundhir said:

أجمع أهل العلم على أن نفقة الوالدين الفقيرين الذين لا كسب لهما ولا مال واجبة في مال الولد.

Therefore, before you jump on the trend to support the tweet, know what the Sharī‘ah stipulates. It doesn't matter whether your parents ask you or not. If you have enough to take care of yourself and family, add your parents to your responsibility list. They have sacrificed their active and productive years for you. It is time for them to enjoy the fruits of their labour.

May we not become weak and needy in our old age. Importantly, may we not give birth to ingrates that won't care about our wellbeing because he/she doesn't consider us his/her responsibility!

Parents are a live wire, nay transformer with constant electric supply. Don't go and hug it o!

Cmanforall:
@seun please remove me here and the write up on my profile.
Didn't know when I clicked it.

Thank You

EmiloCorn:
Ask yourself one question, did you observe them also take care of your grandparents just as you are doing?

If yes is the answer, then please you know what you are also supposed to do.


Welcome to the family you'll find peace, and here ✨️

Cmanforall:


I don't want to be here

And even in my profile it is stating what I don't want.
How can I remove it and leave here in peace please?

Cmanforall:


I don't want to be here

And even in my profile it is stating what I don't want.
How can I remove it and leave here in peace please?

Sccarrr:
na person help u click yes to accept , u sure all is well in your head?

Sccarrr:
na person help u click yes to accept , u sure all is well in your head?

Cmanforall:


Anyways, now I am in your group, and the statement is still in my profile, I will start spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ . Maybe He has a reason to bring me in here.

Cmanforall:


There was no YES. It seems things have changed

You guys now use baits to force people into your religion

For how many years I have been here, I've never clicked a yes

Khafsun:

Asalamu alaykum brother. Welcome to Islam

Sccarrr:
welcome once again

Lukgaf:
Are your parents your responsibility? - Sanusi Lafiagi