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Resonate your identity with Naseeb journals. Express your opinions, share your thoughts, post your writings and connect with like minded people through the power of expression.
Resonate your identity with Naseeb journals. Express your opinions, share your thoughts, post your writings and connect with like minded people through the power of expression.
Updated - How to Deal With Non-Muslim Parents
Salaam everyone,
Islam, being the religion of morality, calls for and encourages healthy relationships among all members of the human family.
This is simply because Islam considers all humans as sons and daughters of the same father and mother: Adam and Eve.
Muslims, in particular, are asked by Islam to perfect their manners and behaviour. This is especially important in social relations. With friends, neighbours, acquaintances, relatives, and close family members, Muslims are ordered to avoid foul and hurtful language.
To anchor this universal message, the Qur'an asks Muslims to speak kindly to all people, especially parents or other close family members. Allah Almighty says what can be translated as
(Al-Baqarah 2:83)
In regards to the parent-child relationship in general, and that between a Muslim and his or her non-Muslim parents in particular, the approach need be one of mercy and compassion.
Unfortunately, many young men and women break away from their families right after their conversions, saying that it is of no use continuing to associate or live with a "kafir" (disbelieving) family. They mistakenly think that rejecting their non-Muslim family is the only way to safeguard their faith.
There are, on the other hand, successful examples of mercy and tolerance with non-Muslim parents. With patience and kindness, some sons and daughters have succeeded in removing the hatred from their parents' hearts towards Islam and Muslims.
Some others have even managed to win over their parents' hearts as they eventually came to embrace Islam.
JAK
Islam, being the religion of morality, calls for and encourages healthy relationships among all members of the human family.
This is simply because Islam considers all humans as sons and daughters of the same father and mother: Adam and Eve.
Muslims, in particular, are asked by Islam to perfect their manners and behaviour. This is especially important in social relations. With friends, neighbours, acquaintances, relatives, and close family members, Muslims are ordered to avoid foul and hurtful language.
To anchor this universal message, the Qur'an asks Muslims to speak kindly to all people, especially parents or other close family members. Allah Almighty says what can be translated as
(Al-Baqarah 2:83)
In regards to the parent-child relationship in general, and that between a Muslim and his or her non-Muslim parents in particular, the approach need be one of mercy and compassion.
Unfortunately, many young men and women break away from their families right after their conversions, saying that it is of no use continuing to associate or live with a "kafir" (disbelieving) family. They mistakenly think that rejecting their non-Muslim family is the only way to safeguard their faith.
There are, on the other hand, successful examples of mercy and tolerance with non-Muslim parents. With patience and kindness, some sons and daughters have succeeded in removing the hatred from their parents' hearts towards Islam and Muslims.
Some others have even managed to win over their parents' hearts as they eventually came to embrace Islam.
JAK
Comments on this journal
A day/weekend spend with them will suffice.
When I attend family gathering...I tend to spend more time with trouble free people. What I mean by that, is that I know for years about relatives who might bring up unwanted jokes, remarks, etc.
As I often say to some of them: What matters more is Allah, my life, happyness, my mother's health & well being, my husband to be...future family, my well being, other muslims friends/family well being, my concerns abt my brothers and sisters in Islam, ...etc but not what my non muslim relatives think, say abt me or want me to do. I'm very straight forward with them and they already know that "what they get is what they see" so with me they know their shallow attitude, will be unwelcome.
Generally speaking, the probs with people is that they want you to ressemble them. If they're unsuccessful, unhappy in their lives, they wish the same applies to you. When I come across people like that, I simply spend lesser time with them and therefore I stay away from them. May Allah help them.
In my experiences, it was not the convert who decided to leave the family, but more the non-muslim family rejecting the convert. Even in those times where the non-muslim family dealt with the conversion, they refused to accept the new way of life for their grandchildren.
I wonder if there are any converts whose parents where happy to see their grandchildren raised is this different way of life. And are there any who would choose to leave their children exposed to the unislamic influences that can exist with their non-muslim extended family.
Traditional holidays spent with non-muslim families send mixed messages to the children, and even when the families have accepted the conversion for the child, they tend to grow very distant as the muslim grandchildren get older.
Masha'allah, I know how it is difficult for Reverts to deal with their non-muslims parents, acquaintances, friends & relatives. I am revert as well. I left my family home 2 decades ago and I prosper well outside the family cell. My mother is christian. She is understanding. She respects me, my religion and also my choice of Halal diet.
As Muslims, it is our duty to promote good behaviour and condamn bad one. We should always show respect, consideration, love and kindness towards our parents, speak and discuss with them. Subanah Allah, with patience and kindness I have succeeded removing confusion and misunderstanding from my brother's mind. I keep my mother in my duaas.
Shukran sister Hanifa for those words of kindess.
Yes I am a revert to Islam Alhumdullillah! I still live with my non-Muslim family...I agree with you my sister. It is not easy to just pick up your bags and go...really it is not...I decided to continue to live with my parents out of respect and love and appreciation for them...surely there is no replacement for them...
Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala knows best!
Ma'assalaam
Nurah
Latifa (Rachel)'s family were shocked by her decision. But, as they come to terms with it, they realise that their ideas about it were completely wrong.
Her Mother Says regarding her daughter's reversion to Islam, "And Now We have a Very forthright, intelligent, independent young lady as a daughter. And i am so proud of her!"
www.turntoislam.com
"Life is a long journey"