Advising Parents and Striving for Reconciliation Between Them

22-2-2026 | IslamWeb

Question:

How to deal with a mother that is constantly complaining about her husband. She speaks badly about him. He is my father. I dont know how islam is dealing with such situation. Everyday when i call her i receive a daily dose of negativity anger and depression about the way she talks about him without considering he is my father.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad () is His Slave and Messenger.

We ask Allah, the Most High, to relieve your distress, to rectify the situation between your father and mother, and to guide your mother to what is right and sound.

There is no doubt that honoring one’s parents is among their established rights. Among the greatest ways to show dutifulness to them is to be patient with them and to supplicate for them that they remain united in harmony and affection.

We advise you to offer sincere counsel to your mother with gentleness and kindness. You may also seek the help of those close to her who hold respect and influence in her eyes, and from whom beneficial advice is hoped. Reconciling between disputing parties is among the best acts of devotion, especially reconciliation between spouses, for it carries great benefit.

It is also her right upon you to inform her of the ruling regarding backbiting if she speaks about your father in a manner he would dislike. However, this should be conveyed with gentleness and tact.

Likewise, if there is any shortcoming on your father’s part toward your mother, he too should be advised with kindness and encouraged to fulfill his obligations toward her. Remind him of the religious texts that highlight the virtue of good treatment toward one’s wife, and of how the Prophet  was gentle, affectionate, and kind with his wives. He should also be encouraged to adopt conduct that improves marital life and fosters affection.

Allah Knows best