Children eating from their father's ill-gotten money
Q: My father is a respectable man. He used to commit immoral acts in the past, but he now offers congregational Salah (Prayer) in the Masjid (mosque) as much as he can. He also observes Sawm (fasting), pays Zakah and fears Allah in many things. He has also performed Hajj more than once, and he takes part in many charitable projects.
However, he is working as a dressmaker,
and he makes clothes for Mutabarrijah (women who dress immodestly in violation of the Islamic dress code) women, who undress in front of him. However, this has changed a little after he performed Hajj. He tells this frankly and knows that it is Haram (prohibited), but he does not denounce it to the extent of changing it.The strange thing, however, is that I became a Multazim (practicing Muslim), thanks to Allah, and then my brother followed me. My father, thanks to Allah, earns a lot, and we thank Allah a lot for this. I have no idea whether this is truly from his heart or it is just a habit. He also does not see some issues as Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect) at all, such as free intermixing between men and women, shaving the beard and Tabarruj for women. Some issues he regards as Munkar, but he does not resist them forcefully, such as bribery, and other new issues to him which he is not enthusiastic about, such as the prohibition of statues and shaking hands with non-Mahram women.Is my father's money, having told all his circumstances, considered ill-gotten money which I should not eat from? (Part No. 14; Page No. 34) He was granted an offer to leave his job by some of his friends who were guided by Allah after the death of President Sadat and changed their jobs themselves. He was going to do so, but this was mixed with the intention that his job became a dead-end. However, he did not change it. Should I leave the house but still maintain good relations with my father, and visit him and my mother? I forgot to tell you that my mother is working with him. She has been wearing the veil since she performed Hajj in 1972, but not in the Shar`y (Islamically lawful) way, as she wears tight clothes and reveals her hair to some men whom she is used to, like her brother-in-law. Should I remain where I am, deny all this with the heart, consume this money and continue advising them? Should I leave home and tell my father that I am not satisfied with what he is doing? Apart from this, he is my father; I can never disobey him, hate him or sever relations with him. I shall continue my studies In Sha'a-llah (if Allah wills) as he wants. Is this considered ingratitude to him or am I right?
A: First,
you should continue advising your parents and explaining the rulings of Shari`ah (Islamic law) on the Munkars they commit. You should also guide them to the truth by wisdom and mild advice. Please find attached a compilation of Fatwas (legal opinions issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) on wearing the veil, mixing between men and women, shaking hands with non-Mahram women and statues, so that you may show them to your parents, may Allah guide them to following the truth. (Part No. 14; Page No. 35)
Second,
if your parents accept the advice, thanks be to Allah. If they insist on the Munkars they are committing, you should behave with them kindly and follow the way ordained by Allah. You should also earn your living yourself in a lawful way, may Allah help you and facilitate matters for you. Continue advising your parents and being good to them as much as possible. May Allah guide them to follow the truth and accept the advice, and grant you lawful income. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.