My question is that is it compulsory according to Shariah for a daughter-in-law to serve her father-in-law and mother-in-law? Means if she doesn’t serve them, will she be punished in the hereafter? Or is it that she will be rewarded if she serves them well and is kind to them and there will not be any problem if she doesn’t serve them. (Serve in the sense of making breakfast and lunch for them and doing their other works). I have heard that parents-in-law have no right over their daughter-in-law and it is her wish whether she serves them or not. Is this right?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
(Fatwa: 32/29/B=01/1436)
After marriage, the mother-in-law is like mother while father-in-law is like father. It is necessary to respect both of them. It is a part of good behaviour for daughter-in-law to serve them. However, it is not wajib or necessary as per the Shariah i.e. if the daughter-in-law did not serve her in-laws, she shall not be accountable before Allah. But if she serves then she shall earn reward.
Allah knows Best!
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband