Foundations · Good Character

Family and Social Etiquette in Islam

Explore proper conduct towards parents, spouses, and social interactions.

6 questions · Easy · about 5 minutes

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6 questions, about 5 minutes.

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Show questions and answers Spoilers: every answer and explanation for all 6 questions.

1. What should someone do if both parents are neglecting each other’s rights?

  • Advise both parents wisely and gently. (correct answer)
  • Take sides with one parent against the other.
  • Ignore the conflict completely.
  • Force them to separate.

Why

When parents are in conflict and each has fallen short, the child should advise both of them with wisdom and gentleness, try to reconcile between them, and continue honouring both parents.

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2. How should someone advise a person who disrespects their parents?

  • Remind them of Allah, warn them against disobeying parents, and keep trying to reconcile. (correct answer)
  • Give up on them immediately.
  • Encourage them to stay away from their parents.
  • Tell them that disrespecting parents is a minor matter.

Why

A person who disrespects parents should be reminded of Allah and the seriousness of disobeying parents. Advice should continue through different useful means, while also trying to reconcile them with their parents.

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3. What should someone do if they mistreated their parents and later realized their mistake?

  • Despair of Allah’s mercy.
  • Hasten to repent sincerely. (correct answer)
  • Assume nothing can be done after the parents die.
  • Only ask other relatives for forgiveness.

Why

Mistreating parents is a major sin, but repentance is possible from every sin. A person should sincerely repent, regret what they did, and do what they can of honouring their parents after death, such as making du’a for them.

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4. Should someone disclose previous sins to a potential spouse if Allah has concealed them?

  • Yes, they must disclose every previous sin.
  • No, they should conceal what Allah has concealed. (correct answer)
  • Yes, because repentance is not valid without disclosure.
  • No, unless the sins were committed at night.

Why

A person should not disclose previous sins to someone they want to marry if Allah has concealed those sins. They should repent and cover themselves with the concealment of Allah.

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5. When may accepting an invitation to a gathering be prohibited?

  • When there are objectionable things that cannot be changed or attending would neglect a more important duty. (correct answer)
  • Whenever the host is Muslim.
  • Whenever the gathering includes food.
  • When the invitation is not for a wedding.

Why

Accepting invitations has conditions. If a gathering contains objectionable matters that cannot be changed, or attending would cause a person to neglect more important duties, then attending may be prohibited.

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6. If a mother tells her son to make his wife uncover in front of non-mahram relatives, what should he do?

  • Obey his mother because parents must always be obeyed.
  • Support his wife in obeying Allah and treat his mother gently. (correct answer)
  • Tell his wife to uncover one time only.
  • Stop being kind to his mother.

Why

A wife should be helped to obey Allah and maintain complete hijab in front of non-mahram men, including the husband’s relatives who are not mahrams. A parent should not be obeyed in disobedience to Allah, but the son should still be gentle and kind toward his mother.

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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.

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