Social Interaction with a Non-Practicing Son-in-Law and Treatment of a Religious Daughter-in-Law
Source: Qur’an o Hadees Ki Roshni Mein Ahkam o Masail – Volume 01
A man’s son-in-law shaves his beard and sometimes prays, sometimes leaves it, while his parents do not pray at all. Is it correct to maintain social relations with such a person? Also, the man’s daughter is regular in prayer and does not give it up despite opposition from her in-laws — how should she be treated?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
A person who occasionally prays and occasionally abandons prayer, or who completely neglects it, should not be treated with friendship, love, or affection. One should not exchange gifts with him or arrange feasts for him.
Dealings with such a person should be limited to the type of general transactions allowed with non-Muslims (e.g., Hindus):
If the daughter continues to perform her prayers regularly despite opposition from her in-laws, it is permissible — in fact commendable — to treat her separately with kindness. This can include making clothes for her or preparing special items for her.
This is because Shariah commands:
This principle is well established in the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Wallāhu A‘lam
Source: Qur’an o Hadees Ki Roshni Mein Ahkam o Masail – Volume 01
Question:
A man’s son-in-law shaves his beard and sometimes prays, sometimes leaves it, while his parents do not pray at all. Is it correct to maintain social relations with such a person? Also, the man’s daughter is regular in prayer and does not give it up despite opposition from her in-laws — how should she be treated?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
A person who occasionally prays and occasionally abandons prayer, or who completely neglects it, should not be treated with friendship, love, or affection. One should not exchange gifts with him or arrange feasts for him.
Dealings with such a person should be limited to the type of general transactions allowed with non-Muslims (e.g., Hindus):
- If no Muslim shopkeeper is available, raw goods such as cloth or grain may be purchased from them.
- Buying items like sweets from them is strictly prohibited.
- Selling your goods to their shops is permissible.
Regarding the Daughter Who Is Regular in Prayer:
If the daughter continues to perform her prayers regularly despite opposition from her in-laws, it is permissible — in fact commendable — to treat her separately with kindness. This can include making clothes for her or preparing special items for her.
This is because Shariah commands:
- Love for the pious
- Hatred for the irreligious
This principle is well established in the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Wallāhu A‘lam
