Is the wife required to serve her husband's mother?

He also asks and says: Is the wife required to serve her husband's mother or not? What is the ruling in this matter? Because this has caused a problem in our home, and it sometimes leads me to consider divorce. I asked one of the shaykhs in my town in Egypt, and he said: Try to reconcile between your mother and your wife. Please note that my wife is an orphan and has no one but me, and I have children from her. My mother is not old, praise be to Allah, and she has daughters in the house. Reconciling between them has become impossible. Is it permissible for me to set up a separate house for myself and my wife and leave my mother and my brothers? What is the ruling in this? May Allah reward you.
Answer: A woman serving her husband and her husband's family is a matter that varies according to custom in different countries. The wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to serve in their homes, and Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) used to serve in her home, in grinding, kneading, baking, and other things, as well as sweeping the house and the like. So what a woman should do is serve her husband and serve the house. If there is her mother, her sister, or her daughters in the house, it is prescribed for her to serve them if the custom in her country is such.
However, if the custom in the family, or in the town, or in the tribe where she is, is that she serves and that she does not perform the service herself, but a maid is brought for her, then it is not obligatory for her, and the husband, if he is able, should bring a maid. However, if she allows the service and performs it without being forced, then she has done well in that.
So the conclusion is: This matter varies and differs according to the custom of the countries. If there is contention and quarreling, it is better for the husband to seek the good manner in this, and to please the woman with what he can of money when there is a dispute, so that she serves with a good heart, so that she serves her mother, serves her daughters, her younger brothers, and the like. This should be done with a good manner and kind words, and financial assistance if there is quarreling and the custom that would convince her to perform the service in her house is not clear. And Allah is the One who grants success. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you and may Allah bless you. But if he is able to please his mother and move to a separate house, is there no harm in that?
The Shaykh: There is no harm in that, unless his mother refuses. If the mother refuses to let him leave because she needs him or for other reasons, then he should not leave, because being dutiful to her is obligatory, and obeying her is important. And perhaps his brothers who are in the house do not take his place and do not fill his role.
So the conclusion is: He should look after his mother and consult with her. If she permits it, there is no objection to his leaving in a separate house.
However, if she needs him, or if there are reasons that call for not allowing him to leave, then he should not leave. Rather, he should be patient and try to reconcile between her and his wife, and please the wife with what he can, even with money, so that things proceed as required, and so that he does not lose his mother because of her anger and displeasure with him. And Allah is the Helper.
The presenter: May Allah reward you.