BENEFIT 371: It Is Not Permissible to Boycott One's Parents(1)

A brother says: My father does not pray or fast. Is it permissible for me to cut ties with him? Sheikh Rashād Adh-Dhali'ee ḥafidhahullāh says: No, it is not permissible for you to boycott him. Rather, you should treat him with kindness, patience, and strive to guide him to the right path as much as possible. Allāh Almighty says: "But if they strive to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them; but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness." [Surah Luqman: 15] Even if parents are polytheists and urge their child towards disbelief, Islam commands that they be treated with respect and kindness in worldly matters. Therefore, if a person is tested with a parent who does not pray or fast, he must exercise patience, offer advice, remind them of Allāh, and seek the right moments to do so. Ultimately, guidance is in the hands of Allāh, and one should pray for their father’s guidance. Consider the example of Abu Hurairah (may Allāh be pleased with him). When he embraced Islam, his mother remained a polytheist. After he migrated to Madinah, his mother remained a polytheist. He constantly invited her to Islam, but she refused. One day, he called her to Islam, but she insulted Islam and even spoke against the Prophet ﷺ. This deeply pained Abu Hurairah, so he went to the Prophet ﷺ and said: "O Messenger of Allāh, pray to Allāh to guide my mother, for I invite her to Islam, but she refuses, and today, when I invited her, she insulted you." The Prophet ﷺ then supplicated: "O Allāh, guide the mother of Abu Hurairah." Abu Hurairah returned home feeling hopeful. When he arrived, he found the door closed. His mother called out, "Wait, Abu Hurairah, do not enter." Then, he heard the sound of water, as she was taking a bath. When she opened the door, she declared: "O Abu Hurairah, I testify that there is no diety worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allāh." Abu Hurairah joyfully returned to the Prophet ﷺ to share the good news. From this, we learn that one should continue to pray for the guidance of their father or any family member who is astray. One should treat them with kindness and not mistreat them, for harshness may drive them further away from Islam. However, good conduct may positively influence them. Guidance is ultimately in the hands of Allāh. If the person is guided, all praise is due to Allāh; if not, then it is Allāh who determines who deserves guidance. Sometimes, a person may do everything in their power to guide a parent or relative, yet they remain unchanged. In such cases, one should remember that this is by Allāh’s will and wisdom. Even the Prophet ﷺ persistently invited his uncle Abu Talib to Islam, yet he did not accept it. Thus, the believer should do their best and leave the matter to Allāh, knowing that He alone grants guidance. _ (1) Unless there's a greater interest https://t.me/almanhajussalafi/1760