Caring for a Bedridden Parent: A Delicate Situation
Question: My mother has passed away, and my father is elderly and sick. Due to being bedridden, he has developed sores. My brother is at work all day. Can I clean and apply medication to his sores?
Answer: Ideally, the cleaning and medication of a bedridden male’s sores should be done by a man. If no male is available, or if the male in the family is unavailable due to work, an attempt should be made to seek help from another male outside the home. However, if it is not possible to find male assistance despite trying, the daughter may, under these special circumstances, clean and apply medication to her father’s sores, as this falls under the category of necessity. It is recommended to use gloves while doing so to maintain proper etiquette.
✍ Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi (Hafizahullaah)
Jeddah Dawah Center – As-Salamah – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia