Is it permissible to hit one's stepmother if she repeatedly incites problems and discord among her children, given that she is elderly and ill?

If a stepmother incites animosity among the children, she is sowing discord and resembles sorcerers and devils in their attempts to separate loved ones, as Allah Almighty says: "And from these two, people learn that by which they cause separation between a man and his wife," and the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "I did not leave him until I separated him from his wife." He (the devil) would then draw him near and say: "You are the best."

It is obligatory to be dutiful to the stepmother and to endure her harm, because being dutiful to her is part of being dutiful to the father. She must be advised and warned about Allah Almighty.

It is not permissible to hit the stepmother, as the authority to discipline her belongs to her husband.

The children must act with wisdom and reason to thwart the corrupt, seek the help of mediators if necessary, and sit down with their brother for understanding to avoid cutting ties of kinship, which is considered one of the major sins.