My grandmother died when my mother was with her. My dying grandmother asked my mother for water and to have her clothes changed. However, my mother did not respond to her. It should be known that the nurse told my mother not to give water to my grandmother or change her clothes. Is my mother guilty? If yes, what is the expiation for this act?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

If a patient who is on his or her deathbed, asked one of their relatives to give him or her something like water or a drink, while the physician’s instruction was not to give the patient any such thing, then the instruction of the physician should be followed. Your mother is blameless, as she followed the instructions of the physician. The physician is more knowledgeable of the patient’s best interests than anyone else.

Allaah Knows best.