Foundations · Good Character

Obligations to Parents and Kinship in Islam

Understanding duties towards parents and maintaining family ties according to Islamic teachings.

5 questions · Easy · about 2 minutes

Test yourself properly, with scoring and instant feedback.

5 questions, about 2 minutes.

Take the quiz
Show questions and answers Spoilers: every answer and explanation for all 5 questions.

1. Does a man have to divorce his wife just because his parents tell him to, without a valid reason?

  • Yes, parents must be obeyed in every request.
  • No, he does not have to divorce her if there is no acceptable reason. (correct answer)
  • Yes, even if she is religiously committed and has good character.
  • No, but he must cut off his parents afterward.

Why

A person must honour parents, but obedience to parents is not required in something that harms the child or has no valid benefit. If the wife is righteous and there is no acceptable reason for divorce, he does not have to obey his parents in divorcing her.

View source on IslamQA →

2. Why should a Muslim be very careful not to disrespect their parents?

  • Disobeying parents is one of the major sins. (correct answer)
  • Parents must be obeyed even in sinful matters.
  • Respecting parents is only recommended.
  • Disrespect only matters if parents are elderly.

Why

Honouring parents is a major duty, and disrespecting or disobeying them is a major sin. The source also advises reminding someone who mistreats parents of Allah and the texts warning against disobedience.

View source on IslamQA →

3. What may be one of the best ways to honour a mother who is doing serious wrong?

  • Help her continue the wrongdoing to keep her happy.
  • Advise her and try to stop her from haram actions and wronging others. (correct answer)
  • Let her control the daughter’s marriage.
  • Ignore the rights of the husband and household.

Why

Honouring a mother does not mean helping her do wrong. In the situation described, one of the greatest ways to honour her is to advise her and stop her from unlawful wealth, wrongdoing, and actions that damage the marriage.

View source on IslamQA →

4. What is one of the most important ways to uphold ties of kinship?

  • Only giving relatives money.
  • Visiting often even if it causes more conflict.
  • Enjoining good and forbidding evil. (correct answer)
  • Ignoring relatives completely if they behave badly.

Why

Upholding kinship includes both material and non-material forms. The source says the non-material forms are more important, especially encouraging good and discouraging evil.

View source on IslamQA →

5. What should someone do if their father tells them not to keep ties with relatives?

  • Cut off the relatives completely.
  • Obey the father in every case.
  • Maintain kinship ties without openly upsetting the father. (correct answer)
  • Publicly challenge the father to prove he is wrong.

Why

A person should still uphold ties of kinship, because there is no obedience to anyone in disobedience to Allah. At the same time, they should avoid openly upsetting the father and try to maintain ties wisely.

View source on IslamQA →

A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

More in Good Character

Browse all 281 quizzes or explore guidance topics.