Should I Live With My Father After Abuse at Home?

Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch

Question

Is it permissible for me to move in with my father after turning 18 due to abuse at home?

I live with my mother and siblings, and my older brother is abusive and refuses to work. After a recent violent incident, would it be permissible for me to leave and live with my father when I turn 18?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

If a member of their family is abusing one, it is an obligation on them to find a way to remove themselves from that situation as best as they can.

If one’s family member is abusing them and they have the option to move out to the home of another family member, they must do so, if possible.

This is based on the saying of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace),

“It is prohibited to harm (others) or to (allow oneself to) be harmed (by others).” [Ibn Majah]

Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he went on to study at Darul Uloom Seminary in New York and completed his studies at Darul Mustafa in Tarim, Yemen.

There, he completed the memorization of the Quran and his study of Islamic Sciences. Throughout his years of study, he was blessed to learn from many great scholars: Habib Umar bin Hafiz, Habib Kazhim al-Saqqaf, Shaykh ‘Umar bin Husayn al-Khatib, and others.

Upon returning, he joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.