How should one deal with a mother-in-law who worships a man and hates Islam, and should attempts to invite her to Islam continue or cease given their futility?

Filial piety towards parents is a great virtue, and the greatest act of piety is to guide one's parent to Islam. Children must invite their mother to Islam with wisdom and good counsel, and avoid offending her beliefs, in accordance with the Almighty's saying: "And do not insult those they invoke other than Allah, lest they insult Allah in enmity without knowledge."

They must treat her kindly and invite her to monotheism with rational proofs, and try to keep her with them to prevent her from returning to her false beliefs.

Children must honor their mother, treat her kindly, and accompany her in this world with goodness, as the Almighty said: "But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, then do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with goodness." It is not obligatory to give her all the money she asks for, but rather it is obligatory to provide for her when she is poor and in need.

It is not obligatory to maintain ties with a disbelieving relative or to show them affection, as the connection is severed. However, Allah has not forbidden showing kindness and beneficence to them if they are not warring, as the Almighty said: "Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly." Nevertheless, caution must be exercised regarding visiting them and children associating with them, for fear of their influence.