Is it permissible for a father to prevent his son from reading religious books, seeking sacred knowledge, or healing with the Qur'an?

Religious knowledge is divided into two categories:

1. Fard Ayn (Individual Obligation): This is knowledge that every Muslim must acquire for their faith and worship to be sound, such as the rulings of prayer, purification, and fasting. It is not permissible to obey a parent if they forbid learning this, because the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim."

2. Fard Kifayah (Collective Obligation): This is knowledge that goes beyond the individual obligation, such as the sciences of the Qur'an, Hadith, and Fiqh (jurisprudence). If a parent forbids learning this, then it is preferable to obey them out of respect, but there is no harm in learning it privately.

As for a parent preventing treatment with the Qur'an: obedience to them is not obligatory if it results in harm, such as preventing someone from earning a living or practicing a trade, because obedience to them is not required in matters that cause harm.