Is a son permitted to force his mother to stay with him in the city?

Question:
One of the listening brothers sent a question about his mother. He says: If she stays in the countryside, she is afflicted with illnesses, her health weakens, and she refuses to stay with me in the city for more than four months only. He asks: Do I have the right to force her to stay with me?


The Shaykh: Did you repeat?

The presenter: He says: He has a mother who falls ill if she stays in the countryside, and her illnesses increase. He resides in the city, and she is not willing to stay with him except for four months. Does he have the right to force her to stay with him?

Answer:
He does not have that right; he does not have the right to force her. Rather, he should be gentle with her, care for her, and place her in a location that suits her. If a suitable location is not available except with a servant, he should seek a servant to serve her if she is unable to care for herself, whether from among his relatives or from others, and he should pay the wage if he is able to do so. He should be gentle with his mother and not force her to do anything she does not want. It is obligatory for him to be dutiful to her, seek her pleasure, and place her in a location that suits her. Yes.

The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.