❀ Ruling on a Father's Curse If the Son Follows True Religion ❀
Derived from: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khālis, Vol. 1, p. 128
If a father curses his son because he follows the correct religion and adheres to it, will that curse be accepted?
Alḥamdulillāh, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. Amma ba‘d:
If the case is as mentioned — that the father is cursing his son merely because the son is following true religion — then such a curse will not be accepted.
In fact, the father would be sinful for doing so.
Allah ﷻ says:
"وَإِن جَاهَدَاكَ عَلَىٰ أَن تُشْرِكَ بِي مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا ۖ وَصَاحِبْهُمَا فِي ٱلدُّنْيَا مَعْرُوفًا ۖ"
(Sūrah Luqmān: 15)
Translation:
"And if they (your parents) strive to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them, but accompany them in this world with kindness."
Explanation:
While maintaining respect and kindness toward parents is essential, if they compel a person to go against the religion, obedience is not allowed.
Likewise, if they curse a child for adhering to true Islam, such a curse will not be accepted.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"لَا طَاعَةَ لِمَخْلُوقٍ فِي مَعْصِيَةِ اللَّهِ"
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
Translation:
"There is no obedience to any created being in disobedience to Allah."
Explanation:
➤ Obedience to Allah takes precedence over all.
➤ If parents instruct something contrary to the religion, or attempt to divert someone from it, their instructions are not to be followed.
➤ A parent’s curse is accepted only when it is against real injustice, not against one who is on the path of truth.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever obeys his parents in obedience to Allah, two doors of Paradise will be opened for him. If one parent is alive, then one door. And whoever disobeys them, doors of Hell will open for him — even if one parent is alive."
A man asked: "Even if they are unjust?"
The Prophet ﷺ replied: "Even if they are unjust, even if they are unjust, even if they are unjust."
(Bayhaqī, Shuʿab al-īmān; Mishkāt: 2/421 — Ḥadīth has a weak chain)
Explanation:
➤ Even if parents commit injustice, kind treatment must be maintained.
➤ However, obedience in matters that oppose the religion is not required.
➤ Disobedience is only permissible when parents command what is against Islam.
① If a father curses his son for practicing Islam, the curse will not be accepted.
② The father will himself be sinful for this unjust act.
③ The son should maintain kind conduct with his parents but remain firm upon the truth of the religion.
④ Obedience to parents is only in permissible matters, not in sin or disobedience to Allah.
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
Derived from: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khālis, Vol. 1, p. 128
❖ Question:
If a father curses his son because he follows the correct religion and adheres to it, will that curse be accepted?
❖ Answer:
Alḥamdulillāh, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. Amma ba‘d:
✿ 1. Such a Curse by the Father Will Not Be Accepted
If the case is as mentioned — that the father is cursing his son merely because the son is following true religion — then such a curse will not be accepted.
In fact, the father would be sinful for doing so.
✿ 2. Evidence from the Noble Qur’an
Allah ﷻ says:
"وَإِن جَاهَدَاكَ عَلَىٰ أَن تُشْرِكَ بِي مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا ۖ وَصَاحِبْهُمَا فِي ٱلدُّنْيَا مَعْرُوفًا ۖ"
(Sūrah Luqmān: 15)
Translation:
"And if they (your parents) strive to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them, but accompany them in this world with kindness."
Explanation:
While maintaining respect and kindness toward parents is essential, if they compel a person to go against the religion, obedience is not allowed.
Likewise, if they curse a child for adhering to true Islam, such a curse will not be accepted.
✿ 3. Evidence from Hadith
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"لَا طَاعَةَ لِمَخْلُوقٍ فِي مَعْصِيَةِ اللَّهِ"
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
Translation:
"There is no obedience to any created being in disobedience to Allah."
Explanation:
➤ Obedience to Allah takes precedence over all.
➤ If parents instruct something contrary to the religion, or attempt to divert someone from it, their instructions are not to be followed.
➤ A parent’s curse is accepted only when it is against real injustice, not against one who is on the path of truth.
✿ 4. Emphasis on Kindness Toward Parents
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever obeys his parents in obedience to Allah, two doors of Paradise will be opened for him. If one parent is alive, then one door. And whoever disobeys them, doors of Hell will open for him — even if one parent is alive."
A man asked: "Even if they are unjust?"
The Prophet ﷺ replied: "Even if they are unjust, even if they are unjust, even if they are unjust."
(Bayhaqī, Shuʿab al-īmān; Mishkāt: 2/421 — Ḥadīth has a weak chain)
Explanation:
➤ Even if parents commit injustice, kind treatment must be maintained.
➤ However, obedience in matters that oppose the religion is not required.
➤ Disobedience is only permissible when parents command what is against Islam.
❖ Conclusion:
① If a father curses his son for practicing Islam, the curse will not be accepted.
② The father will himself be sinful for this unjust act.
③ The son should maintain kind conduct with his parents but remain firm upon the truth of the religion.
④ Obedience to parents is only in permissible matters, not in sin or disobedience to Allah.
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
