Taking Parents to the Nursing Home and Its Ruling in Islam
Nursing homes are a modern phenomenon that has gained acceptance among people over the years. The painful sight of nursing homes for the elderly, which serve as centers for disabled fathers and mothers who have been rejected by their families, is truly bitter and thought-provoking. Men and women who have spent a lifetime nurturing many children find themselves abandoned during the very days when they are in dire need of their children’s affection and assistance. They count the minutes until death and keep their eyes on the door, hoping for a relative to visit—an expectation that might not be fulfilled more than once or twice a year. This is a reflection of a materialistic world and Western civilization.
In contrast, Islam offers profound guidance through verses and hadiths that emphasize the importance of honoring and caring for parents. Muslims are encouraged to manifest this respect through both words and actions.
Now, we must consult the Holy Qur’an to understand the duties of children when their parents reach old age and become, so to speak, disabled and needy. Allah beautifully states:
“And your Lord has decreed that you should worship none but Him and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them reach old age with you, do not say to them a word of disdain and do not chastise them, but speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the wing of humility and mercy, and say, ‘My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up when I was small.'”
According to this command from Allah, it is an obligation for a child to care for their parents and to avoid leaving them in a nursing home.
Preferring Convenience and Leaving Parents
Some individuals with sick parents seek relief from the burden of caring for them. In such cases, they may either send their parents to a nursing home, choose to live far away, or seek alternative solutions. While it may seem easy to prioritize convenience, the joy of supporting parents and doing good for them brings a unique satisfaction and happiness.
Those who take their parents to nursing homes are often the same individuals who neglect their parents’ rights. When parents need them most, they abandon them to pursue their own affairs. However, parents are a blessing in life. Their prayers can make even the most difficult tasks manageable for their children, and they have the wisdom to untie the hard knots of life through their struggles. The Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “There are three people’s prayers that will definitely be accepted: the prayer of the father, the prayer of the traveler, and the prayer of the oppressed.”
Furthermore, the Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, warned: “May his nose be dusty! May his nose be dusty! The nose of the person who finds his parents, or one of them, in their old age and does not enter paradise because he did not serve them.” This hadith clearly underscores the critical importance of honoring parents and the necessity of serving them throughout one’s life.
In summary, entrusting parents to nursing homes and relying on caretakers there contradicts the teachings of the Quran and Hadith. Such practices should not be part of our lives in Islam. As long as we are alive, we are obligated to personally care for our parents. This does not imply the complete eradication or closure of nursing homes; rather, these facilities should be reserved for those who are genuinely alone and have no one to care for them.
By admin2
