Ibn Majah

Benefits and Issues:
➊ Generally, parents love the happiness of their children, and sometimes they even tolerate unpleasant things for the sake of their children’s happiness. In such a situation, if parents are troubled by their daughter-in-law, there is usually a reasonable cause. Especially, a father cannot, without reason, order his son to divorce his wife.

➋ Preferring the happiness of one’s parents over one’s own happiness is included in good conduct (husn al-suluk) towards parents.

➌ If parents unjustly order their son to divorce his wife, it is better to try to explain one’s position to the parents with respect and courtesy. If they still insist on their opinion, then their order should be obeyed. The sin of giving a wrong order will be upon the parents, while the son will be rewarded for obeying his parents’ command.

Explanation:
1:
This narration is a clear proof that if a father commands his son to divorce his wife, then he should divorce her, even if he loves her very much. And the mother is, with even greater priority, included in the command of the father, because the mother’s right over the son is greater than that of the father.

Benefits and Issues:
This is the status and right of the father,
that if he tells his son to divorce his wife,
then the son should obey this command. However, the condition is that the father who is demanding his son to divorce his wife
should himself possess the qualities of Umar radi Allahu anhu,
and there should be no element of personal desire or prejudice in it.
Only a Shariah-based benefit should be intended, just as is reported regarding Umar radi Allahu anhu.