How should one advise parents regarding violations that amount to disbelief?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
I find many violations in my parents, to the extent that they amount to disbelief. Should I boycott them, or what should I do? I am aware that I advise them and clarify things to them.
Answer:
It is obligatory for a child, even if his parents are disbelievers, to treat them with kindness, as Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said: [Luqman: 15]. The parents have a great right, so it is not permissible to boycott them or to harm them, even if they are disbelievers. However, one should treat them with advice, guidance, maintaining ties, and the means of their guidance, so that perhaps Allah will guide them through His means, even if they are disbelievers, as you heard in the verse.
The parents have a great status, different from the status of other relatives. It is obligatory for the child to strive for the well-being of his parents, to exert effort in the means of their guidance, to treat them with kindness, good speech, and good conduct, and to deal with them in whatever way he can that brings them to good and leads them to truth and guidance. He should not boycott them, harm them, or insult them. Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Isra 17:23] and lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy, and say, “My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up when I was small” [Al-Isra: 23-24]. This was not restricted to Muslim parents.
The parents have a great right that must be observed. If the parents are Muslims, their right is even more deserving and greater. But these [disbelieving parents] also have a right, and they are entitled to care, so that perhaps Allah will guide them and return them to the right path.
I find many violations in my parents, to the extent that they amount to disbelief. Should I boycott them, or what should I do? I am aware that I advise them and clarify things to them.
Answer:
It is obligatory for a child, even if his parents are disbelievers, to treat them with kindness, as Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said:
But if they endeavor 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 and follow the way of those who turn back to Me
وَإِنْ جَاهَدَاكَ عَلَى أَنْ تُشْرِكَ بِي مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا وَصَاحِبْهُمَا فِي الدُّنْيَا مَعْرُوفًا وَاتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ مَنْ أَنَابَ إِلَيَّThe parents have a great status, different from the status of other relatives. It is obligatory for the child to strive for the well-being of his parents, to exert effort in the means of their guidance, to treat them with kindness, good speech, and good conduct, and to deal with them in whatever way he can that brings them to good and leads them to truth and guidance. He should not boycott them, harm them, or insult them. Allah the Exalted said:
And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.
وَقَضَى رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِنْدَكَ الْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَا أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُلْ لَهُمَا أُفٍّ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُلْ لَهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيمًا The parents have a great right that must be observed. If the parents are Muslims, their right is even more deserving and greater. But these [disbelieving parents] also have a right, and they are entitled to care, so that perhaps Allah will guide them and return them to the right path.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.