The best way to advise one's father
10-11-2007 | IslamWeb
Question:
My father is a very nervous person, and when I advise him not to accompany his friends, because they are disobedient to Allaah, he becomes angry and bad-tempered. We cannot talk to any of the righteous people about his issue, so what can be done? Please advise.
Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.
May Allaah reward you for visiting our website and may Allaah increase your keenness on goodness and adherence to the teachings of Islam. It should be noted that one is required to try their best to bring people to the right path. However, guidance is in the Hands of Allaah. Allaah Says (what means): {Indeed, [O Muhammad], you do not guide whom you like, but Allaah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.}[Quran 28:56]
If you failed to convince your father or to find righteous persons to do so, then at least supplicate Allaah for him and perform good deeds before him to set an example. Perhaps he will imitate you or regret his condition. The prophet Ibraaheem (Abraham) 
supplicated for his father before Allaah prohibited him from doing so, Saying as in the verse (which means): {And forgive my father. Indeed, he has been of those astray.}[Quran 26:86] He also supplicated for his existing and non-existent offspring, saying as in the verse (which means): {My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication.}[Quran 14:40]
Allaah may bless you with a positive response from your father and enlighten his heart to the truth. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, stated that people's hearts are controlled by Allaah, the Most Gracious, and He changes them however He Wills. [Muslim]
We also recommend that you have good manners with your father and advice him, wisely and gently. Many a times a good word softened a harsh heart, while a harsh word turned soft hearts averse to it.
Additionally, you must observe your father's rights of being respected and be dutiful to him. May Allaah The Almighty guide you and us to what He loves and what pleases Him.
Allaah Knows best.