Back to search
The question

Are the daughters sinful who sheltered their divorced, elderly, and helpless mother, protecting her from the harm of a father who swore to humiliate her? And are they obligated to cut off visits to the father who shuns them at his own request and refuses reconciliation, while his wife prevents them from reaching him?

Share this answer

Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

You have done well by sheltering your mother and preventing your father from oppressing her. This is an act of filial piety (Birr al-Walidain), which is among the best deeds, for the mother is the most deserving of good companionship and kindness. However, this does not mean neglecting the father's rights, for he has his due.

You must treat him with kindness and visit him unless he requests otherwise for his own benefit. Show him and his wife affection and goodwill, and do not abandon him no matter what happens. Appease him with kind words and good deeds, apologize if he appreciates that, and seek mediation from someone who has influence with him.

Abandoning him will only increase his aversion. Strive to pray for him and treat him with kindness, in accordance with the Almighty’s saying: "Nor can goodness and evil be equal. Repel (evil) with what is better: then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate!" (Quran 41:34). Remember that you have support from Allah as long as you are kind to him, even if he mistreats you. We also recommend this approach with your siblings.

Summary from Ftawy's records · added here

Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.

Read the full answer on Ftawy
Where this answer came from
Source platform
Ftawy
Original fatwa ID
79915
Added here
. This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
Text
Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full ruling
Read the full answer on Ftawy