A man says: I married a woman from a neighboring Arab country, and I am satisfied with her in terms of religion and character; she is diligent in her prayers and fasting and obedient to the utmost limit.
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The questioner : This listener, S. A. W. from Sakaka in al-Jawf, sent a message saying: I married a woman from a neighboring Arab country, and I am satisfied with her in terms of religion and character; she is diligent in her prayers and fasting and obedient to the utmost limit. But the problem lies with her family, for they do not pray, do not fast, and give no weight to religion. Is it permissible for us to contact them and visit them, or do I have the right to prevent my family and children from visiting them out of fear of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation), especially since my children will accompany my wife on this visit? We ask for guidance?
The Shaykh : Yes. It is well known that a husband will only live with his wife. If she is upright in her religion and character, it does not harm him that her family are deviating from the religion of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). In this case, he has the right to prevent her from going to them if he fears for her fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) in her religion, or if he fears for his children’s fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) in their religion. However, if he hopes that by going to them they will become upright and that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) will guide them, and he goes to them to present the truth to them and warn them against disobedience, then this falls under the category of da'wah (calling others to Islam) to Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and there is no harm in it. But if he finds no acceptance and finds only mockery and ridicule, then he has the right to boycott them and not go to them, and to prevent his wife and children from them if he fears fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) for them. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : Yes. It is well known that a husband will only live with his wife. If she is upright in her religion and character, it does not harm him that her family are deviating from the religion of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). In this case, he has the right to prevent her from going to them if he fears for her fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) in her religion, or if he fears for his children’s fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) in their religion. However, if he hopes that by going to them they will become upright and that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) will guide them, and he goes to them to present the truth to them and warn them against disobedience, then this falls under the category of da'wah (calling others to Islam) to Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and there is no harm in it. But if he finds no acceptance and finds only mockery and ridicule, then he has the right to boycott them and not go to them, and to prevent his wife and children from them if he fears fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) for them. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.