Is It Disrespectful to Correct My Parents Even If They Are Wrong?

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

I’ve learned that my parents don’t like me to disagree with them, so I don’t. But sometimes my parents get something wrong, and when I try to correct them, they get offended. I then stay quiet. Is this considered disrespect if I don’t intend to offend them?

Answer

Thank you for your question. Ma sha Allah, your heart is in the right place. I feel that correcting a parent is not disrespectful as long as you are polite and kind.

Upsetting Parents

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The shy person and the arrogant person don’t learn knowledge.” [Bukhari] Your parents should be open to learning what is correct and not being upset about it, but there is really nothing you can do about this.

If you feel that your parents are wrong in something concerning religion or fact, you should correct them, keep it short and sweet, and your silence afterward is a sign of respect. However, if you disagree with them about something mundane, like “this is blue, not purple,” I recommend that you not push the point at all, out of respect for their feelings.

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Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin and completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.