My Parents Tend to Fight Very Often: What Should I Do?
Answered by Ustadha Sulma Badrudduja
Question
My parents tend to fight very often. What should I do?
Answer
I hope you and your family are in the best of states Insha’Allah.
The essential role that good character holds in one’s faith and practice, in general, and a priori towards family, is clear from the words of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace: “There is nothing heavier in the believer’s scale on the day of Judgement than good character.” [Tirmidhi]
Thus, at the level of one’s personal religious obligations, in addition to the level of family and interpersonal relations, allowing one’s marriage to continue in a tense and argumentative fashion is unacceptable.
You are in a difficult position because, as a child, you may not have much direct influence over your parents’ behavior, and they may not be likely to want your interference. Nevertheless, if you think they may listen to how you are feeling about the situation and benefit from your input, then you should try speaking to them. Professional help should be seriously considered. You, or another close individual to the family, should suggest this to your parents. In addition to this, there remain some important steps you can take:
- Make continuous supplication that Allah turns their relationship into a healthy one. Your du`a is special, as you are in need and you are supplicating for your parents;
- Do not allow the negativity from your parents’ relationship to affect your relationship with each of them or to cause you to feel like the source of their problems. This is a common feeling that children will face. They will blame themselves for their parent’s marital problems. It is important that they realize they are not the problem, even if the parents are fighting over matter related to the children. The parents’ inability to reach an amiable compromise in an amiable manner is from their own shortcomings;
- Initiate healthy and joyful family activities. If you put in the extra effort to make one night in the week special, for example, you may find that your concern and input into the family’s happiness reminds your parents that they are the ones who should be working towards creating a harmonious family environment.
Allah places each one of us in the situations that we are in for a specific wisdom. Strive to do what you believe is right and you will find relief Insha’Allah.
Wassalam,
Allah knows best, and success is with Him alone.
[Ustadha] Sulma Badrudduja
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
