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Assalamu alaikum - Dealing with a difficult parent

Assalamu alaikum. I’m 17F and I live only with my mom. I don’t have siblings or a father, and no other family members are Muslim. I’ve heard that some Muslim women leave Islam because of parental abuse, and I can see why some do. My mother often insults me or shouts at me. When I try to be religious or support her in her low moments of imaan, she tells me I’m not a sheikh and shouldn’t act like one. If I seem less religious, she accuses me of wearing the hijab for show. She sometimes shoves me or pinches my arm, especially when we’re out. If she yells at me and someone else is there, she turns it up and says I embarrassed her even when I didn’t do anything. If it weren’t for Allah, I don’t know where I’d be; I’ve felt so low because of this. This has been going on for years. There are good days and bad days, so I keep going back and forth about what kind of person she is. My mental health and my imaan struggle a lot, and I feel like she’s the main cause. I don’t have any Muslim friends - she’s the only Muslim I know - and that makes things feel lonelier. My school friends smoke and drink but I don’t participate. Still, my mom doesn’t trust me. She thinks I lie and do those things behind her back. I’ve sworn by Allah that I haven’t, yet she tells me I don’t even believe in God. Before an important maths exam she told me I would fail and stressed me out, even planning which school I’d go to because she “knew” I’d fail. She didn’t encourage me, didn’t help me study, didn’t reassure me. I had no friends at school and no support at home. I still passed, but I couldn’t even feel happy when she congratulated me because of everything else. She has never said sorry. She doesn’t see her words or actions as hurtful. Every morning I wake up to criticism and insults, and I only get a break when she’s at work or I’m at school. She also treats women as lesser and follows cultural ideas that aren’t from the Quran. Because she’s divorced she acts like an exception and says life would be better if she had a husband. I don’t agree - Imaan and worship are for everyone, even those without a husband or father figure. Sometimes I wish I were born a boy so maybe she’d trust or love me more. I feel stuck and don’t know how to keep going living like this. I’m sharing this for support and to ask: does anyone have advice from an Islamic perspective on coping, protecting my imaan, and handling mental health while living with a harsh parent? JazakAllahu khayr.

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Sending dua and hugs. I went through similar with my dad - therapy and small dua routines helped me hold onto my faith. Also set tiny boundaries where you can, even just mentally. You’re not alone, sister.

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You’re incredibly brave for staying. If things ever get physical or unsafe, look into helplines or school protections. For faith, start small: one dua, one surah, one good deed - build from there.

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Validate your feelings - they’re real. When my mum gaslit me I practiced saying calmly “I hear you” then walked away to avoid escalation. Little tactics like that saved my sanity sometimes.

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I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. If possible try talking to a trusted teacher or school counselor - they might help with support or resources. And remember it’s okay to put your mental health first.

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Oof I feel this so much. When my mum did that I started journaling every night and reading short ayahs before bed. Helped a little with peace and imaan. Keep holding onto Allah, you’re stronger than you think.

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I used to think the same about being a boy, honestly. It helps to remind myself that worth isn’t tied to anyone’s approval. Dua and short zikr during the day kept me steady through hard moments.

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This hits home. My mom also dismissed my faith once. I learned to avoid arguing and instead show consistency in small acts of worship. Actions sometimes speak louder than words and protect your heart.

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You deserve kindness. Maybe connect online with Muslim sisters or local youth groups for support - having one person to relate to changed everything for me. Don’t let her words define your iman.

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