Fatwa ID: 07583
Answered by Alimah Shireen Mangera-Badat
Question:
If some Muslims had a quarrel with their father or mother, would it have an influence on the acceptance of good deeds such as a Salah, Dhikrs or a supplication by Allah?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer
In Islam, maintaining good relations with one’s parents is of utmost importance, and showing respect and kindness to them is a fundamental obligation. However, if a person has had a quarrel with their parents, it does not automatically nullify their good deeds such as Salah, Dhikr, or supplications, but it can have spiritual consequences.
- Importance of Obeying and Respecting Parents in Islam:
Islam places great emphasis on being good to one’s parents. The Qur’an repeatedly reminds believers to show kindness and respect to their parents, and this is considered a key aspect of one’s faith. Disobedience or disrespect towards parents is considered a major sin, but that does not mean that it completely nullifies one’s acts of worship. Rather, the acceptance of one’s good deeds by Allah may be impacted, depending on the severity of the disobedience and the person’s repentance.
- Does a Quarrel with Parents Nullify Good Deeds?
In the Hanafi school of thought, good deeds such as Salah, Dhikr, and Du’a remain valid as long as the person fulfils the proper conditions for those acts (such as intention, purification, and fulfilling the pillars of Salah). However, quarrels with parents may diminish the reward of those deeds or cause a delay in their acceptance because disrespect to parents is a serious sin that affects one’s relationship with Allah. This means that while the Salah, Dhikr, or Du’a may still be technically valid, their reward may be diminished, or Allah may delay their full acceptance due to the negative impact of disobedience or quarrelling with one’s parents.
- Repentance and Reconciliation
It is essential for a person who has quarrelled with their parents to seek their forgiveness and reconcile with them. Islam emphasises mending family ties and rectifying relationships, especially with one’s parents. Sincere repentance for any wrongdoings towards parents can restore one’s standing with Allah and lead to the full acceptance of good deeds.
Restoring the rights of others, especially parents, is a duty.
Thus, the person should make sincere efforts to apologise to their parents and improve their relationship with them. This can enhance the reward and acceptance of their acts of worship.
- Conclusion
- A quarrel with parents does not nullify acts of worship like Salah, Dhikr, or Du’a, but it may impact the reward or acceptance of these deeds due to the seriousness of disrespecting or disobeying parents.
- To ensure that one’s good deeds are fully accepted, it is important to seek reconciliation with parents and repent to Allah for any wrongdoing towards them.
- Maintaining good relations with parents is a means of gaining Allah’s pleasure, and it is highly emphasised in Islam.
In conclusion, it is crucial to mend the relationship with one’s parents for both spiritual and worldly benefits, as it plays a significant role in the acceptance of good deeds.
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Alimah Shireen Mangera-Badat
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
“وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا۟ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَٰنًا”
(Surah Al-Isra, 17:23)
“من الكبائر عقوق الوالدين، وإن كان العبد عابدا فإنه لا تقبل طاعته مع إساءة معاملة الوالدين”
(Al-Hidaya, Vol. 4, Pg. 262)
التوبة من الذنوب واجبة، والله يقبل التوبة إذا كانت صادقة، ورد الحقوق إلى أصحابها من الواجبات في حق الوالدين”
(Fath al-Qadir, Vol. 6, Pg. 145)
