Fatwa No : 29042
parents order their children to sever family ties

parents order their children to sever family ties

(Q.1) Does parents have the right to stop their children from speaking to other blood relatives on the basis of disputes that occurred between them (i.e. parents and relatives) so that the children also well sever family ties from those relatives? (Q.2) Does parents have the right to impose their likes and dislikes in the personal life of their (sexually) mature children (بالغ)? Will this not have a bad effect in having good conduct and respect towards the parents? (Q.3) The rights of parents are always spoken about. But in our era there is a dire need to speak about the rights of the (sexually) mature (بالغ) children (such as education, upbringing etc.).

الجوابُ حامِدا ًو مُصلیِّا ً

It is incumbent upon children to be obedient to their parents and to comply with their orders in anything that is permissible or allowed (in Shari’ah). For this reason, if parents order their children to sever family ties with other relatives because of personal differences, or they show no consideration for the likes and dislikes of their (sexually) mature child (بالغ) for no reason whatsoever, then in such cases although obeying one’s parents in not incumbent, it is also not proper to behave towards them in a way that may upset them. Such behavior must be avoided.
And Allah knows best.