{"_id":"6a4d6d4110286d7240229af4","title":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"Is a daughter obligated to cook, clean, and do laundry for her father?\\n\"}]}","question":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"Is it obligatory for a daughter to cook for her father, wash his clothes, and take care of household chores if he tells her to? Is it sinful for her to refuse?\\n\"}]}","answer":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"In Islam, a parent's authority over their child permits them to assign tasks, but only within defined limits. It should first be clarified that the term \\\"child\\\" here refers to the \"},{\"attributes\":{\"italic\":true},\"insert\":\"ghayr mukallaf\"},{\"insert\":\": one who has not yet reached puberty, or one who has reached puberty but lacks full mental competency. For such a child, a parent may assign light, customary chores as part of their upbringing and education. Tasks like cooking, laundry, and general housework fall within this category, since learning these skills is considered part of a child's proper rearing. In this case, a father may assign such chores to his daughter, and it would be obligatory for her to comply.\\n\\nAs for the \"},{\"attributes\":{\"italic\":true},\"insert\":\"mukallaf\"},{\"insert\":\", which refers to one who has reached puberty and is mentally competent, if she is still living under her parents' roof and being financially supported by them, she is likewise obligated to assist with household chores as a reasonable contribution to the home she benefits from.\\n\\nIn both cases, however, this permission has boundaries. A parent may not demand labor that would normally require a wage, meaning heavy, professional-level work that goes beyond reasonable household contribution. If the demands cross this line, she would not be obligated to obey.\\n\\nAs for whether refusing is haram: if the chores are reasonable and fall within the scope described above, then refusing without a valid reason would be sinful, since it involves inexcusably disobeying a parent. If the demands are excessive or exploitative, it is not sinful to decline.\\n\\nThese are general guidelines on this matter. The bottom line is that parents are entrusted with children, so they must always act in the best interest of the child, not their own. It is in the child's interest to learn basic skills and responsibilities, but it is not in their interest to be used as free labor.\\n\\nIf you need further guidance that is specific to your situation, submit a fatwa consult.\\n\"}]}","tags":[{"_id":"668da0010b76658b4c232b9d","tag":"Relationships: Parent and Child","count":122}],"createdOn":"2026-07-07T21:18:57.407Z"}