Fatwa #1689210 July 2008Saudi Arabia
Does the concept of respecting the parent applies even if the parent(s) torture the children?
Question
Concerning your answer to this poor woman's delima (Fatwa # 16720 from ). You said to her it is fardh for her to respect her mother even if her mother is acting badly, does this same concept applies if the mother or father is physically abusive to the child? Does the concept of respecting the parent applies even if the parent(s) locks the child in a dark room and torture the child in any way or form. I am not saying this happened to me, Al-hamdolilAllah, I have an awesome mother..however..I am asking in case a scenario like this happens...does this concept applies there as well?
Answer
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
It is the responsibility of the parents to discipline their children. It is not permissible for them to torture and abuse their children. However if the parents fail to treat their children with care, this will by no means give the child any right to show the slightest disrespect towards them. Instead the child should be patient and maintain respect but at the same time avoid being physically abused and tortured, because respect does not entail being tortured and abused.
And Allah knows best
Zakariyya Madatt,
Student Darul Iftaa
Checked and Approved by:
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa