Q: A Muslim brother from the Arab Republic of Egypt after offering greetings to Your Eminence asks about what should he do with his father who commits deeds that violate the rules and ethics of the Shari'ah (Islamic law).
A: Wa 'alaykum Assalam warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you too!) We ask Allah (Exalted be He) to guide your father and help him to repent. We advise you to be lenient with him and to offer him advice in a kind way and never to give up the hope of his being guided. Allah (Glorified be He) says, And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years give thanks to Me and to your parents. Unto Me is the final destination. But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not; but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) orders us to thank parents along with thanking Him and to accompany them in this worldly life with appropriate kindness, even if they strive to make one disbelieve in Allah. Thus, you learn that Islam enjoins on you to behave kindly with your father and do good to him even if he does you wrong. You should strive to call him to AlHaqq (the Truth), hoping that Allah may guide him through you. It is not permissible for you to obey him in a sin. We advise you also to seek help from Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) to guide him and then from your righteous relatives such as uncles and others whom your father appreciate and respect hoping that he may accept their advice. We ask Allah to grant us, you and your father guidance and sincere Tawbah. He is All Hearer, Ever Near. Assalamu 'alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)