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Fatwa CenterSupplicating against abusive parents
Question
Assalaamu alaykum. I am being tortured by my mother and father. My father recently went missing for about a month and then eventually told my mother that he married another woman and wants children with that other woman (i.e. he wants to start a new family). He said to my mother that if she (i.e. my mother) wants him back, then she must torture the kids (i.e. my siblings and I), by not feeding us, starving us, cutting the water, and completely boycotting us. Eventually, my mother agreed to do all that and we are now suffering. If you ask me why he told her to do that, then I have no definite response; I myself want to know why. He just gives feeble excuses to those who ask him. If you ask why my mother agreed to all those evil acts against her own children, then I will say that she is crazily in-love with my father, to the point that she will do absolutely anything. For example, ten years ago, my dad made her choose between himself and her family, and so she, without hesitating, chose my father and boycotted her family, including her brothers and sisters. And now, ten years later, he made her choose between himself and her own kids, so she chose him, without hesitating, once again. If you ask me how my siblings and I are surviving, then I will say that we are surviving on outside food. Sometimes, we fast throughout the day, break our fast with a little bit of food and then keep half that little bit of food for the Suhoor (pre-dawn meal). Sometimes, when I am really hungry, I make Dhikr (expressions of remembrance of Allaah) as in the hadith that says that when Ad-Dajjaal (the Antichrist) emerges, the believers will have no food but their food will be Dhikr. I have been very patient for a whole year with everything that they have been doing. My father has also prevented me from seeking knowledge and going to the Islamic University of Madeenah. So without further ado, my question is: Is it permissible for me to supplicate against my parents? And if not, then what should I do?
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, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
It is inconceivable that parents could possibly do such a thing to their own children! If what you are saying is true, then we implore Allaah to guide your parents to the truth. What we advise you to do is to gently clarify the religious ruling on their actions to them and inform them that they bear a sin for refraining from providing your basic needs, burdening you beyond your ability to endure, and torturing you as such.
As for supplicating against your parents, it is impermissible because it involves undutifulness (‘Uqooq) towards them.
Shaykh Ibn Baaz 
was once asked, “I often supplicate Allaah in secret against my abusive father that he would be mistreated and abused as a punishment for his abuse and mistreatment of us. I constantly repeat the supplication, 'Hasbi-Allaah wa Ni‘ma Al-Wakil (Sufficient for me is Allaah, and He is the best Disposer of affairs).' My father is very harsh, stingy, and abusive. Is this considered undutifulness to one's parents? What is your advice for us?” He replied, “It is impermissible for you to supplicate Allaah against your father. Instead, you should supplicate Allaah to guide him and protect you from his evils. There is no harm in saying, 'Sufficient for me is Allaah, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.' But to supplicate against him, no.”
We also advise you to be patient until Allaah makes for you a way out of your hardship.
Allaah knows best.
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