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Fatwa CenterSevering ties with parents because of depression
Question
What is the ruling on avoiding having a relationship with one's parents due to depression? Keep in mind that there are other siblings who take care of the parents.
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.
It is not permissible for a child to abandon his parents and completely sever the ties with them because of depression or any other reason as long as he is an adult and has free will. Even if he has siblings who are taking care of his parents, it is not permitted for him to sever the ties with them, and he is still obliged to be kind and dutiful to them.
Nevertheless, being kind and dutiful to the parents is not limited to visiting and taking care of them; it is a broader concept. A child is permitted to travel far away from his parents for a benefit, but he can still be kind and dutiful to them by asking about them, writing to them, speaking to them on the telephone, and the like. For more benefit, please 125841 and 125504.
On the other hand, if a child abandons his parents without willing to do so but due to being overcome by his mental disorder, then he is not sinful for this.
Allaah knows best.
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