The Ruling on Obeying One's Father in What Causes Harm

This is a letter we received from the Yemen Arab Republic, from the Taiz district, from the sender (M. A. D.). The questioner says: I am married and have children, and I live in a separate house with my wife and children. My father lives in a separate house as well, with my mother and my brothers. He says: My father’s work is different from the work I do, and each of us strives to earn a lawful livelihood. However, my father asks me to help him in his work and to leave my job. If I refuse his request, will I be undutiful to my father, or what?
Answer: If you suffer harm from it, if there is harm in obeying your father, then it is not obligatory for you; because the Messenger (peace be upon him) said: Thus the Chosen One (peace and blessings be upon him) said: The right of the father is great and significant. So if you are able to help him and work with him in a way that does not harm you, then do so. But if it harms you, and the work you are currently doing is of the greatest necessity to you, and you are in great need of it to meet your needs and the needs of your children and the maintenance of everyone, then it is not obligatory for you to obey him in anything that harms you. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Thus he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: But you should strive to obey your father in what benefits him and helps him, without harm to yourself, combining two benefits. Strive to do the work you are in need of, and also strive to obey your father in what you are able to do and which brings about your father’s satisfaction, combining the two benefits and being eager to please the father and not anger him, while observing the principles. The principles are: Thus the Chosen One (peace and blessings be upon him) said.
The second principle: This is a general rule. The father has no right to harm you, nor does he have the right to impose hardship on you, and you have no right to disobey your father in what is right, but you obey him in what is right, while observing the avoidance of harm that befalls you in obeying him. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you.