Q: My mother is in poor health, and often goes into diabetic comas. She is married to my uncle to whom she bore a son and four daughters. My half brother is one year younger than I. I am now twenty nine years old. I keep close contact with my mother, calling her almost everyday to ask about her condition, to make sure that my half-brother and half-sisters are fine, and to tell her that my family is fine. I give her the money she wants and I fulfill my duties to her as a son. She is well pleased with me. However, she always asks me to return to Riyadh and leave my work abroad. She wants me to stay with her as she fears that she may die in my absence, and thus Allah will be displeased with me. (Part No. 25; Page No. 141) Every time I call her, she starts to cry and persists in my coming back to Riyadh to stay with her. I asked her to come and live with me, but she refused. Give me your fatwa may Allah reward you! Do I have to sacrifice my work for the sake of returning to Riyadh? Or must I continue my work until the work assignment ends? Even if I return to Riyadh, I might have to move to another country as required by the nature of my work.

A: Children are obligated to be dutiful to their parents, obeying them, extending a helping hand to them, being generous to them, and speaking kind words to them. Allah (Exalted be He) states: And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: "My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young." Earning your livelihood is also obligatory; therefore, it will be better for you, if possible, to move your work to Riyadh even temporarily. If it is not possible, you may continue you work (Part No. 25; Page No. 142) but try to reply gently when your mother asks you to stay with her.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!