Praise be to Allaah.
There is no doubt that honouring one’s parents is one of the
greatest ways of doing good and one of the widest gates of Paradise.
‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ood (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I
asked the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him): O
Messenger of Allah, which deed is best? He said: “Prayer offered on time.” I
said: Then what? He said: “Honouring one’s parents.” I said: Then what? He
said: “Jihad for the sake of Allaah.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2782; Muslim, 85.
See the answer to question no.
145627
Just as honouring one’s parents is one of the widest gates of
Paradise and earns the pleasure of Allah, may He be exalted, there is no
doubt that keeping oneself chaste is also one of the most important matters
that a person should be concerned with, especially at a young age when
temptations are numerous and the individual fears for himself.
What appears to be the case, and is indicated by a great deal
of experience, is that there is no conflict between the two matters that are
mentioned here in the question. Indeed it is entirely possible to combine
the two.
Taking care of parents with regard to matters where they need
help, honouring them and upholding ties with them does not require you to
dedicate your entire life to that purpose or that to let the opportunity of
marriage pass you by when you are young. All you have to do is look at the
nature of what your parents need from you. If they need you to serve them
and they cannot do things for themselves and your younger brothers cannot do
that, all that is required of you is to choose a husband who will let you do
that. So instead of accepting a husband who will take you away from your
city, choose a husband from the same city where you live. The closer his
house is to your parents, the better it will be, so that it will be easy for
you to go to them whenever they need that and take care of their affairs.
Choose a husband who is kind and easy-going and will help you in that and
not prevent you from doing it. At the same time you can organise their
affairs in such a way that in many cases it will not be necessary for you to
visit them every day, even if they are old.
Whatever the case, these are details that – it seems to us –
can be arranged easily, in sha Allah.
If they need financial help for themselves or for your
brothers, this is only as much as you are able to do. If you are working,
you can give your family some of your salary or wages and you can stipulate
to your husband that he should not prevent you from working or prevent you
from helping your family.
If it so happens that after marriage you are less able to
help them, then perhaps Allah will open another door to provision and
goodness for them that will make up for that.
If they are not able to educate your younger brothers, even
with help from people other than you, then what appears to be the case is
that it is better for you to get married and keep yourself chaste, and to
give that precedence over helping your brothers with their education.
Remember that Allah, may He be exalted, will help a person so
long as he is helping his brother, so how about if you are keen to help your
parents and your brothers. We believe that Allah is not going to deprive you
of His help and guidance, and we think that He will grant you a way out from
every worry and hardship. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He
will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).
3. And He will provide him from (sources) he never could
imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him.
Verily, Allaah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allaah has set a measure
for all things”
[al-Talaaq 65:2-3].
And Allah knows best.