Accommodating a non-Muslim family member
QUESTION:-
What is the ruling on accommodating a non-Muslim family member in a Muslim home? My grandmother is Hindu and is aged. She has only two daughters who can take care of her, i.e. my mother and my aunt, who will share the responsibility equally. However, my father claims that our Ibaadah and A’maal will not be accepted for forty days due to the presence of a non-Muslim in the house. Is there any basis in Deen for this claim?
ANSWER:-
We are commanded to treat our parents kindly all times, irrespective of whether they are Muslims or not. Yes, we do not obey them in those acts which solicit the disobedience of Allah Ta’ala, but we will obey them in all permissible matters. In fact, it is recorded in Fataawa Hindiyyah that, if the parents of a male or female are disbelievers, then too, they are required to spend on them, be obedient to them, and serve them. They are also permitted to make Dua for their guidance and, in fact, should always do so. Yes, if one fears that they will force them to commit acts of Kufr when visiting them, then one is permitted to refrain from visiting them.
There is no prohibition from accommodating one’s parents who are non-Muslim, in one’s home. In fact, by seeing our way of life, which was taught to us by Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, it is possible that they will be attracted to the beautiful Deen, and will eventually enter the fold of Islam. It is with this intention that we should accommodate them. Also, we have not found any verse or narration which states that if one accommodates their Kaafir parent in their home, then their Duas and actions will not be accepted for a period of forty days.
Notwithstanding the above, if this is going to create an issue in the home, then your mother should listen to your father in all matters, if they are within the confines of Shariah. Hence, in this instance, it would be better to accommodate your grandmother in an outbuilding, or a frail-care centre, or an old age home (if an outbuilding is not available), and your mother may take care of her whilst she resides there. By doing so, your mum will be obeying her husband and at the same time, taking care of her mother. We do hope that the above explanation clarifies the matter.
وَوَصَّينَا الإِنسـٰنَ بِوٰلِدَيهِ حُسنًا وَإِن جـٰهَداكَ لِتُشرِكَ بى ما لَيسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلمٌ فَلا تُطِعهُما إِلَىَّ مَرجِعُكُم فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِما كُنتُم تَعمَلونَ ﴿العنكبوت: ٨
عن أسماء قال: قدمت أمي وهي مشركة في عهد قريش ومدتهم إذ عاهدوا النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم مع ابنها فاستفتيت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقلت: إن أمي قدمت وهي راغبة؟ أفأصلها؟ قال: نعم، صلي أمك (صحيح البخاري، الرقم: 5979)
حدثنا أبو بكر بن أبي شيبة وزهير بن حرب قالا: حدثنا الحسن بن موسى حدثنا زهير حدثنا سماك بن حرب حدثني مصعب بن سعد عن أبيه أنه نزلت فيه آيات من القرآن قال: حلفت أم سعد أن لا تكلمه أبدا حتى يكف بدينه ولا تأكل ولا تشرب قالت: زعمت أن الله وصاك بوالديك، وأنا أمك وأنا آمرك بهذا قال: مكثت ثلاثا حتى غشي عليها من الجهد فقام ابن لها يقال له عمارة فسقاها فجعلت تدعو على سعد فأنزل الله عز وجل في القرآن هذه الآية: ووصينا الإنسن بوالديه حسنا وإن جهداك على أن تشرك بي وفيها وصاحبهما في الدنيا معروفا (صحيح مسلم، الرقم: 1748)
إذا كان لرجل أو لامرأة والدان كافران عليه نفقتهما وبرهما وخدمتهما وزيارتهما فإن خاف أن يجلباه إلى الكفر إن زارهما جاز أن لا يزورهما كذا في الخلاصة ولا يدعو للذمي بالمغفرة ولو دعا له بالهدى جاز لأنه عليه السلام قال: اللهم اهد قومي فإنهم لا يعلمون كذا في التبيين (الفتاوى الهندية 5/348)
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:-
Maulana Ahmed Saeed
Date:- 24 Dul Qa’dah 1444 / 14 June 2023
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:-
Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb