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بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ Monday, 09 March 2026 Al Athnayn, 20 Ramaḍān 1447 AH
Hadith of the Day: مَنْ لَا يَرْحَمْ لَا يُرْحَمْ "Whoever does not show mercy will not be shown mercy." — Bukhari, Muslim
Social Matters | Mar 09, 2026 | 2 min read

“Family Conflict and Distance in Islam”

Question

I don't know where to begin in my life. I'll keep this restricted to family relationship. My family relationships have gotten so strained that I have chosen silence and separation. I can provide so much information like I have in the past to my family, they don't care. What consistently make excuses for them. Others tell me. I witness the neglect but I ignore. My mother is not an educated woman and my father did not have a father. They are also old. I have always kept a warm and kind heart towards my elders, my biological and adopted family. Even meeting with my mothers brother who sexual abused me as a child, scare I am suffering til today. Psychology they claim that I am disturbed. I went to the psychiatric. Psychologist says my family is neglectful. Because of the sophisticated education needed to understand psychology, I abstain and bring it back to Islam. My family are not educated scholars but they have run out of bullets to hurt me, so they turn psychology and in Pakistan, everyone is an expert at finding flaws in others rather than fixing yourself and be mindful of my own behavior as it taught in the untied state of America. Are my actions of abstaining and distant and silence acceptable in Islam? It truly breaks my heart, but I can tell you fact for fact, date for date things that have brought me to the juncture. I will always respect my biological family but I am a math and science, introvert (in certain aspects), while they enjoy gossiping, fighting and more Culturally this is acceptable in Pakistan. However America has no religion. One must renew ones faith as needed. So I try to judge my actions based on no violence and Islam. At heart I am a business man. After 15 years of this cycle I am writing this letter on hopes of getting closure. Please feel free to ask me any questions but I am fasting at the moment. I can tell you in heart I want justice and vengeance but I break my heart and attempt to follow Islam. Second, I am forty years old and not married. I am in such a bad part of my life right now, that I am scared of bring another person, my wife, into my life. I would like to resolve these issues first before moving forward. Is it wise to delay marriage at my age if I am dealing with consequential outcomes that could affect my wife and future kids?

Islamic Ruling & Answer

Verified

You have described a very heavy pain and trial, and Islam does not ignore such situations. The principle in Shariah is that it is necessary to maintain respect toward parents and family and avoid disrespect. However, if a person is continuously subjected to harm, injustice, or emotional distress from family members, then it is permissible to maintain some distance in order to protect oneself. Even with that distance, it is better to keep respect in the heart and try to improve the relationship with kindness whenever an opportunity arises.

As for the feelings of wanting revenge or reacting harshly, such emotions can be natural. However, Islam teaches us patience, forgiveness, and leaving matters to Allah. Allah is not unaware of any ظلم (injustice) that happens to a person, and He is the best of those who deliver justice.

Regarding marriage, if you feel that you are currently dealing with serious emotional issues that could affect your future wife and children, then taking some time to improve your situation is not against wisdom. However, unnecessarily delaying marriage for too long is also not ideal, because a good marital life can sometimes become a source of peace and stability for a person.

Therefore, the better path is to turn to Allah in supplication, adopt means that bring peace to your heart, and gradually try to bring balance back into your life. Allah sees your intentions and your patience, and He is the One who opens the best paths for a person.

Answered by

Mufti Tosif Qasmi

March 09, 2026