Assalamualaikum - Parents asking for $1,500/month while I’m in debt; is it wrong to want to pause?
Assalamualaikum everyone, I need some outside perspective because I’m feeling really stuck and conflicted. I’m a first-year high school teacher bringing in about $3,800 a month. I currently have around $10,164 in student loan debt that I’m trying to pay off by July. I’m also planning to move to a new apartment in July, and there might be a short stretch without income, so I’m trying to save for that too. My parents (both in their 50s) have been asking me for $1,500+ a month to help with bills and the mortgage. I technically have enough right now, but giving that much makes it really hard to reduce my debt or save for my upcoming move. I’ve already given them over $4,000. When I hesitate or push back, they guilt-trip me by saying my dad has high blood pressure, they’re getting older, and that they need my help. My father is a senior-level software engineer but has been struggling to find work for the past five years. My mom works full-time but earns under $40k a year. I love my parents and don’t want to abandon them, but I also feel like continuing this will keep me stuck in debt and financially unstable. I’m torn between feeling like a bad child and feeling like I need to protect my own financial future. Am I being unreasonable for wanting to reduce or stop giving them money right now? How would you handle this situation? Any Islamic perspective or practical advice would be really appreciated. JazakAllah khair.