The Role of The Elder Sister

Question: Am I obliged to obey my elder sister?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

ُThe default is that any adult is free to do whatever permissible thing they wish to do and that no one else has any authority over them unless they are too young to run their own affairs.

That said, the father and mother also have certain rights of respect. In the absence of the father, one must obey one’s mother and older brother (Hashiyat al Sharwani). One’s older sister may well have limited authority over one if there is no mother or brothers. I am personally not sure.

As for an adult male with his older sister, he is merely obliged to show her respect but he is not obliged to obey her.

Regardless of the details, one is never obliged to obey anyone in that which is sinful or clearly to the detriment of one’s religious, financial, and medical well-being.

Please see:
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/rights-of-the-eldest-child/
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/how-should-i-deal-with-my-disrespectful-younger-sister/

I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat