His parents insist that his illness is due to his sins
Fatwa No: 180275

Question

AsalamuAlaikum I'm a 15 year old boy had 2 surgeries 5 months ago because of which my left hand and leg are paralyzed.Doctors said it will get well in due time InshaAllah but my problem is my parents ever since i got sick they keep telling me its because of my sins n etc....i think they are right,and i repent numerous times each day.Since i cant walk now i sit and listen to the quran and islamic lectures all day but still my parents keep saying its all because you were bad you comitted sins so Allah did this n etc My mom says even if i read Astagfar more than a million times its still not enough i dont get it..i havent commited any major sins or anything,I sometimes use to miss Salah and use to trouble for studying and that to not every time.They say im the only one who is not trying to get well and also im happy with the situation im in...how could i be?...it only makes me angry but arguing with them wont do any good it will only make me sinful.I would like advise on this situation for making my parents understand that i am trying.JazakAllah Brother.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

First of all, we ask Allaah to cure you and protect you from all evil. We advise you to supplicate Allaah as much as possible as Allaah is over all things Omnipotent and everything is easy for Him. Allaah Says (what means): {And your Lord says, Call upon Me; I will respond to you.” Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible.} [Quran 40:60]

We also advise you to be keen on being kind and gentle with your parents. There is nothing wrong in debating with them and clarifying the truth to them as long as this is within the limits of good conduct without getting fed up with them or raising your voice on them. For more benefit on being kind and dutiful to one's parents, please refer to Fataawa 87019 to 82254.

The following matters should be noted:

1- Trial is not necessarily due to a sin that a person has committed, but it could just be testing the person to find out how patient he is in order to raise his degree and expiate his sins for him. For more benefit on being patient at times of affliction, please refer to Fatwa 83577.

2- Whoever repents Allaah accepts his repentance. Out of His wisdom, Allaah may not take away the trial from a person as He knows that this is better for him because of what the person gets from His Bounty and Mercy. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 83145 and 85286.

3- It is not permissible for a Muslim to interfere in matters of the unseen which only Allaah knows, like being definite that Allaah will not forgive so and so. This is indeed very serious. Jundub narrated that a man said: “I swear by Allaah that Allaah will not forgive so and so, thereupon, the Prophet said: ''Allaah, the Almighty, said: “Who is this person who swears that I will not forgive so and so, indeed, I have forgiven so and so and I nullified your (own good) deeds.” [Muslim]

4- The most important thing that helps improve the health status of the patient is to remind him of what is positive and not to remind him of what is negative that will cause him more frustration and troubles.

Finally, reminding your parents of such matters is important, but it is not necessary that it is you who should advise them. Rather, it is more appropriate to seek the help of people who are of the same age like them or whom they respect, so that they would advise them as it is most likely that they would listen to them.

In principle, the parents are compassionate with their children and are keen on achieving what benefits them.

Allaah Knows best.

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