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Fatwa CenterShe Works to Support Her Aged Father but In-Laws Disapprove
Question
I need your advice on the following matter. I got married 3 months ago.
I use to work in an office from last 7 years. The main purpose of working in an office is to support my father. We are 2 sister one is married with 3 kids and living in UK. And my mother dead since 1988. So before marriage me and my father were living together. And after marriage I use to work as I worked before. But my in-laws don't like that I should work in an office. But I need to work to support my father who is 73 years living alone and I have other responsibilities. My job is very good. I'm getting good salary and I have a separate room and there is no public dealing involved in my job. I wear scarf in the office. Now my mother-in-law is forcing my husband that I shouldn't go to the office. Previously my husband was not against this but now when he has this pressure he told me everyday that I should leave the job. But now I don't understand what to do as there is no one to look after my father and I need to work and with pressure I can't go to the office. Kindly give me Islamic advice on the matter. I will be very grateful.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
If your father is so poor that he could not earn his living, you should first discuss the issue with your sister and perhaps she could be able to spend on him. If your sister achieves that goal, then this will spare you from getting into conflict with your husband. Now, if this solution is not possible, then try to convince your husband either to permit you to work in order to spend on your father or if he is wealthy, he commits himself to spend on your father and assures you that he would not break his commitment. Now, if none of the above solutions is reached, then two obligatory acts, spending on one's father and obeying one's husband, conflict. In this case, if your quitting your job will make your father face much hardship and difficulty, then the right of the father is given priority over that of the husband. As a result, you should not obey your husband in this particular issue as the Prophet said: “No obedience is due except in a righteous deed.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
We would like also this husband, in case he reads this Fatwa, to be a supporter for his wife in obeying her Lord by obeying her father, considering that she might also become the mother of his children if Allah Wills.
Allah knows best.
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