A woman says: My mother opposes me in doing good deeds, such as maintaining family ties and giving charity to the poor. Is my husband’s approval sufficient for me?
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The questioner : A married woman to a Muslim man says: My mother opposes me in doing good deeds, such as maintaining family ties and giving charity to the poor. Is my husband’s approval sufficient for me? We ask you for guidance?
The Shaykh : First, I advise the mother of this questioner regarding her preventing her from doing good, for this is contrary to what she should do. Indeed, what a person should do when he sees someone doing good is to encourage him, assist him, and explain to him the virtue of that good, not to stand between him and it.
Second, I say to this questioner: You may do good even if your mother prevents you from it. However, in this case, you should be discreet by doing the good without her noticing, so that you can attain both your mother’s pleasure and the doing of good.
As for the husband, his permission is not required for doing good, unless doing that good prevents him from what he is entitled to in terms of enjoyment. But if it does not prevent him from what he is entitled to in terms of enjoyment, he has no right to interfere with you in that matter.
The questioner : May Allah bless you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah magnify your reward for what you have presented.
The Shaykh : First, I advise the mother of this questioner regarding her preventing her from doing good, for this is contrary to what she should do. Indeed, what a person should do when he sees someone doing good is to encourage him, assist him, and explain to him the virtue of that good, not to stand between him and it.
Second, I say to this questioner: You may do good even if your mother prevents you from it. However, in this case, you should be discreet by doing the good without her noticing, so that you can attain both your mother’s pleasure and the doing of good.
As for the husband, his permission is not required for doing good, unless doing that good prevents him from what he is entitled to in terms of enjoyment. But if it does not prevent him from what he is entitled to in terms of enjoyment, he has no right to interfere with you in that matter.
The questioner : May Allah bless you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah magnify your reward for what you have presented.