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Fatwa CenterObey your mother within the limits of Shariah
Question
Dutifulness to parents: I am a reverted Muslimah. I have both parents alive. My mother is a trader and I feel she wants me to take up her job totally. But my problem is I am very weak because of a chronic disease which both of my parents do not know about and so I find her trade to be a very hard work for me. Aside of that her trade does not allow me to worship Allah on time. Presently I sell for her on Saturdays only because I work as a teacher on weekdays. As much as I strive to do the right things as a Muslim, I always think about her and always trace problems in my life at times to this that it might be a punishment from Allah. Please tell the best thing. Presently her sister sells for her and she goes to the market to buy the materials for her trade but I know well that her sister has started to be difficult these days.
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. If such trade is in the permissible things and your practicing it does not involve any legal (Islamic) prohibition such as mixing with men or Tabarruj (exposing your body, dressing indecently, etc.), then you have to obey your mother in what she orders you to do as much as possible, as this entails kindness to parents even if they were disbelievers. Allah Almighty Says: {And We have enjoined man in respect of his parents-- his mother bears him with fainting upon fainting and his weaning takes two years-- saying: Be grateful to Me and to both your parents; to Me is the eventual coming. And if they contend with you that you should associate with Me what you have no knowledge of, do not obey them, and keep company with them in this world kindly.}[31:14-15]. You have also to perform the obligatory acts of worship in their due times even if this would lead to neglecting the trade affairs whenever it is time for performing worship acts. Your obedience to your mother as concerns managing her business is restricted to your capability, in a way that does not harm you. You are not bound to obey her in what causes you harm and you will not be punished for not doing so. But you have to inform her of your sickness in order for her to understand and excuse you or at least lessen the duty she asks you to do. But if that business includes prohibitions, such as alcohol, pork, etc, or if practicing it entails your committing haram (unlawful) things, such as Tabarruj, mixing with alien men, cheating, etc, then you are not to obey her in taking care of her business. This is in accordance with the Prophet's Hadith: There should be no obedience in what involves disobedience to Allah, rather obedience should be in good matters only. [Narrated by Muslim ]. Allah knows best.
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