Q:

Assalam Alaikum. My co-brother in law has passed away and left behind his wife and two kids. My question is do I have any responsibility towards their living expenses having known that her in laws are not taking care of the family and there is none from her parent’s side financially strong enough to support her.

please guide me. Jazakallahu khairan.

A:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving.

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad. 

In principle, you are not responsible for your in-laws or their families. Still you are strongly recommended to help and support them financially as long as you can. The Quran promises abundant rewards for those who spend charitably in the path of Allah. It says what means “The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the path of Allah is as the likeness of a grain that sprouts seven spikes. In every spike, there are a hundred grains. Thus does Allah multiply [reward] for whomever He so wills. And Allah is all-encompassing, all-knowing. Those who spend their wealth in the path of Allah- then do not follow up what they have spent [in charity] with boastful reminders, or any harm- they shall have their reward with their Lord [in full]. And there shall be no fear upon them [when they assemble for Judgment]. Nor shall they ever grieve.” (Al-Baqarah 2:261-262)

Allah knows best.