Have you ever heard of the Sandwich generation?

The sandwich generation is a term for people whose financial condition is squeezed by two generations: the upper generation and the lower generation. The upper generation refers to parents and parents-in-law, while the lower generation refers to offspring, either children or grandchildren.

They are called the Sandwich generation because their financial condition is similar to the filling of a sandwich, which is crushed by two pieces of bread on two sides.

The Sandwich Generation is mostly working-age people who are stressed out because they are forced to support two generations at once: their parents and their children. Even though it's not enough to support themselves.

Of course, there are several reasons why this phenomenon can occur. Among them:

1. Parents who rely too much on their children's income
2. The number of people who do not understand how to manage finances properly
3. Children who are spoiled and not financially independent, and so on.

 

Then how does Islam see this Sandwich Generation phenomenon?

In Islam, providing for the family is something very noble. Allah obliges every head of the family to provide for his family members. Especially for the wife, son until he reaches puberty, and daughter until she gets married.

Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says:

"And it is the duty of the father to feed and clothe the mother fairly." (QS. Al-Baqarah: 233)

In Subulus Salam, Imam As-Shan'ani explains that the majority of scholars think that the father is obliged to provide for his children until they reach puberty, or until marriage for girls.

Doing good for both parents is also an obligation. The Prophet ﷺ said that our wealth is the wealth of our parents.

In a hadith, it is mentioned that once a man came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said: "O Messenger of Allah, I actually have property and children, but my father wants to take all my property." Then he replied, "Yourself and all your property belong to your father." (Reported by Ibn Majah, no. 2291, authenticated by Al-Albani)

The scholars explained that this hadith does indicate the obligation of a child to provide for his parents, but parents should not oppress their children by taking their property arbitrarily, let alone to the point of distressing the child.

Everyone's fortune has been determined by Allah. And in every asset we get, there are other people's rights there. We don't need to stress, believe that every family member has their provision. Allah Almighty says:

"And there is not a single creature that moves on the earth except that Allah has guaranteed its sustenance." (Hud: 6)

Intend that everything we spend on our children and parents is sadaqah. And providing for your family is one of the most important forms of charity.

What about those of us who are still struggling?

For those who feel that they are still struggling; aka each of them depends on the income of their parents or children, try to make an effort on your own. Living independently without depending on others is an honor, a glory.

To avoid that, we need to learn and become financially literate. For those who are still young, try to learn to save, invest, and learn to increase your income from now on. Slowly try to stop depending on your parents.

For those who are already working, prepare a retirement fund from now on. Collect it little by little, so that we don't have to depend on our children's income in old age.

Also, try to have passive income, and make money work for you. So that later we can get income even though we are relaxing at home.