Short answer
No. Caring for his parents is the husband's duty, not a legal duty on his wife. If she helps them, it is a great kindness that Allah rewards, and good relations with in-laws are part of good character. But neither the husband nor his family can force her to cook, clean or care for them.
A wife's legal duties are to her husband, not to his parents. Looking after his parents falls on him, by himself or through others he arranges. Her serving them is ihsan (excellence) and highly rewarded, and being harsh to them is wrong, but declining to serve them is not nushuz.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
Allah commands kindness to parents and relatives (4:36), and He placed the care of parents on their own children. In many cultures a new bride is expected to become the household's servant. Islam does not make that a duty. The four schools agree that a wife's marital duties are towards her husband, not his family, and the Hanafi school gives her the right to a private part of the home of her own. See living with in-laws.
That is the law. The deen also asks for more than the law:
- For the wife: treating his parents as you would want your own treated is a beautiful act of ihsan. Helping an elderly mother-in-law, cooking for a visit, or simply speaking gently earns reward and wins hearts.
- For the in-laws: treat her as a daughter, not as staff. Do not interfere in the couple's private life or turn your son against her.
- For the husband: you owe your parents service and your wife fairness. Do not hand your duty to your wife and then blame her. The best of you are the best to their wives.
When you do not get on with your in-laws. Keep basic respect, avoid backbiting, and set calm boundaries together with your husband. Raise problems with him privately rather than in front of the family. If things are heated, a respected elder or a counsellor can help. Living separately, even nearby, often solves more than any argument. If there is abuse, get help, and if you are in danger call the emergency services.
See also rights of the wife and when parents ask a son to divorce.
The evidence
Quran, Surah An-Nisaa 4:36
۞ وَٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا۟ بِهِۦ شَيْـًۭٔا ۖ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَٰنًۭا وَبِذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَٰكِينِ وَٱلْجَارِ ذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْجَارِ ٱلْجُنُبِ وَٱلصَّاحِبِ بِٱلْجَنۢبِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخْتَالًۭا فَخُورًا ﴿٣٦﴾
Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful.
Kindness to parents and relatives is commanded.
Quran, Surah Al-Israa 17:23
۞ وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَٰنًا ۚ إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ ٱلْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّۢ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًۭا كَرِيمًۭا ﴿٢٣﴾
And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.
The duty to serve parents lies on their children.
Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1162
Graded hasan sahih... وخياركم خياركم لنسائهم ...
"And the best of you are those who are best to their wives."
A husband must be fair and kind to his wife.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Talaq, Bab al-Nafaqa, on the wife's housing. She is owed a home apart from his family.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Bab al-Nafaqa. Her duties are towards her husband; service of his parents is not owed by her.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.