Destitute parents
Posted on December 19th, 2011
By Dr. Mrs. Mareena Thaha Reffai, Dehiwala
It has become a common occurrence that the elderly parents are often left destitute while the children who had been doing well die. When a son or daughter dies, the property, house and income – all are taken over by the children or the spouse and the parents are sometimes left in the lurch.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Actually Islam has a fool proof method to prevent this happening. The Quran prescribes that when a person diesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ be it ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ a man or a woman, 1/6th of his / her property should go to each of the parents i.e. 1/6th to the mother and 1/6th to the father. If there are no children even more. This is a direct order in the Quran though many Muslims themselves are not aware of it and even if they may have heard, they do not follow this order from Allah himself.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Quran says
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ * It is prescribed for you, when death approaches one of you, if he Leaves wealth that he bequeaths unto parents and near relatives in kindness. (This is) a duty for all those who are pious. (Sura 2: verse 180)
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ * For parents a sixth share of the inheritance to each if the deceased left children; if no children, and the parents are the (only) heirs, the mother has a third; if the deceased left brothers (or sisters), the mother has a sixth.(Sura Nisa 4: verse 11)
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ If only these verses are followed then wheneverƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ a person dies their parents will automatically inherit from them. This is in all cases whether they inherited theirƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ property from their parents or they earnedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ it themselves.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It is so in cases of women too. If a woman possesses property orƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ jewellery, even given by her husband, then when she dies “her” parents must get their shares.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ LetƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s hope every person who has parentsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ think of these orders of Allah and leaves appropriate instructions before death so that their own parents do not suffer.
December 20th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
**Actually Islam has a fool proof method to prevent this happening. **
Well well well! Now look what we have here! No wonder you never talk about Rizana Nawfeek!! As Devinda has appropriately highlighted above it is not foolproof.
**It has become a common occurrence that the elderly parents are often left destitute while the children who had been doing well die. When a son or daughter dies, the property, house and income – all are taken over by the children or the spouse and the parents are sometimes left in the lurch.**
You cannot stereotype people. There are many people who take care of their grandparents, in-laws after such a death. Also in Sri Lanka under the law most elderly parents have the right of “Prana Bukthiya” when their pass the property to their children, they can stay in the place until their death. Property issues should always be looked at on a case by case basis because different people have different circumstances.
For example, if someone owns 12 perches (like most people today in urban areas) of land will 2 perches of land be enough for someone to live in? It may not work even if the assets are liquidated. In such a case it is more appropriate to share the property.
December 20th, 2011 at 8:29 pm
This woman want to make Sri lanka a part of Saudi Arabia.
Why must Sri lankans learn from Saudi Dhamma when we have pure Buddhism explaining everything ?
Foolish woman must read the suttas properly before making stupid suggestions.