I have old parents who live in India with my younger sister who is a divorcee with a girl child. I live in England with my wife and children of 10 and 11 years of ages. Children do not like to settle in India as they are in very good grammar schools (one of top 4 in UK) and progressing very well Alhamdulillah. I am not able to decide whether I should ignore the future of my children and go live and care for my parents in India, because if I have to go and live in India my children will also have to leave their current schools and study in a school in India which even if best in India, will be of a lower standard, as compared to their current school in England and I will also have to look for new employment in India which if not impossible may be little difficult these days. Please let me know if there is a hadith about any of our Sahabees’ lives where they faced similar situation and what action they took in those circumstances. What action should I take in these circumstances?
Answer
(Fatwa: 2045/B=385-TB=1432)
If your parents have turned old and week and they are in need of their children for their care then it is fardh on you to look after your parents. You should come to India leaving the employment of England and the future of your children and serve your parents. The holy Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: Let him be humbled into dust who finds his parents in old age, either one or both of them, and does not enter paradise by doing their service.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband