Question:
Salams,
Are elder family members allowed to emotionally abuse/bully younger ones with vile/hateful speech and insults?
Are victims of above required to tolerate it silently?
Under what circumstances may one sever ties with ones relations?
Answer:
As-Salamu ‘Alaikum,
Abu Hurayrah may Allah be pleased with him, reported: “A man said to the Messenger of Allah (swt): `I have relatives with whom I try to keep good ties, but they sever relations with me; I treat them kindly but they treat me badly; I am gentle with them but they are harsh with me.’ He Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam replied:“If you are as you say, it is as if you are feeding them hot ashes, and you will have a supporter against them from Allah as long as you continue to do so.” [Muslim]
Dr. Senad Agic, Imam
SABAH – Chicago
9920 Grand Ave
Franklin Park, IL 60131
