Q. please understand my situation. I am asking you to be sympathetic and fair. So please go easy on me. If I was ‘evil’ I would not ask you, and I would not be living with my parents. That said, I am not against my parents. I love them lots. I am in second year of university. My grades are excellent. My goal is dentistry. I have never missed a prayer in 3 years. Never dated or did any of the major sins in Islam. Allah has protected me. For this I read two rataak salaah of shukar (thankfulness) everyday.

My problem is this: I have a job. I make $1750 per month. I have three sisters and a younger brother. My one sister works, both my parents make money. (In excess of $55 000. My sister to has the same prob as me.)

Do I have to give all my money to my father and mother? It has come to a point that the money i make is demanded away from me by them.

I do not have any money left at all. My car is beat up. Sometimes my friends have to take me to college when my car breaks down. It’s embarrassing.  I may have to drop out of school just so I can make more money for my parents. My parents are nice to me. They feed me for which I give  shukar. Nothing is ever enough them. And the more I give, the more they want for my uncles and their children (and grandchildren.) Imaam, I have three sisters and a brother. Why must my family live a cheap life work sooo much but others like my aunts live a life of comfort.  Then I am told I must marry … …….. Imaam …..  (our site is sorry to cut out your extra details. Lets answer only the above. You can resend the second and third portion later, should you wish.)

What are my obligations to them. My rights to them? Their rights?

Answer:

1. May all bless you for all you are doing for your parents. Your reward would be tremendous.
2. Parents in Islam have certain rights. Amongst them: they would be given honor and security. A parent need not ask a child for anything. It is the child’s obligation to share Allah-given resources that remain a surplus of their given needs.
3. Once it has been established that a parent(s) has secured themselves with an employment and the money they need for themselves as survival is sufficient from that employment, then for parents to demand in excess of that which the need would be wrong. A child can request his/her right of acquiring the right to live a basic life comprising peace, keep money to fulfill necessities and the means of attaining basic privacy and security. However, at no time should a child be rude to a parent.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.