Leaving Children with Non-Muslim Grandparents

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam.

Question: My husband is a born Muslim and he practices. But my mother-in-law is a non-Muslim and has never really accepted Islam and my father-in-law and husband do not like me or anyone interfering with her beliefs.

However, I find it very difficult to leave my kids with them as I am afraid they may learn wrong things. Is that bad on my part and will I be punished for that ? I also don’t want to live with them under the same roof where there is constant shirk.

I want to preach to my father-in-law and tell him how wrong he is. I know Allah knows best and he is the best judge of whose sins are more and I am really really afraid of doing anything that would affect the next life for myself, my husband and kids. Please guide me in this matter.

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are well, insha’Allah.

You aren’t responsible for the beliefs of your mother in law. Nor are you “obliged” to convert her.

Unless she is actively preaching to them, which is unlikely, have a good opinion of her. What happens at home and the religion your children see working will have a greater impact on them. Fill their lives with love of Allah and His Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace), sit with the righteous, attend gatherings of remembrance, embody the beautiful way of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace), and keep asking Allah for steadfastness of His religion.

See: The Criteria of Enjoining The Good and Forbidding The Evil

May Allah bless and facilitate success for you and your family in this life and the next.

And Allah alone gives success.

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.