Assalamu Alaikum - Need Advice on Honoring Parents While Being Muslim
Assalamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh, Bismillah. I need some advice about birr al-walidayn. Alhamdulillah I’m now a legal adult and can practice my faith openly, but my family aren’t Muslim. My mother is very emotional and my father is strongly against my Islam - may Allah guide them both. They love me and work hard for me, but they also resent my faith and sometimes use other things (like an exam score) as extra reasons to call me a bad son. They’ve warned me they might kick me out if I don’t stop. I’ve been practising mostly in secret and I’m trying to control my resentment and be a good son for the sake of Allah. Alhamdulillah I’ve made some progress. My mother caught me being Muslim three times and each time I had to promise I would stop. Back then I wasn’t an adult so I couldn’t do much, but now I do have the option to move out. I don’t have a steady job yet, though I have some possible opportunities - I’m not completely dependent on them, but nothing is confirmed yet, Alhamdulillah. If they actually ask me to leave, how should I act? Previously when they pressed me I mostly stayed quiet, but I can’t keep being silent forever when they demand answers. My parents cry a lot because of this; they both love me but dislike my choice, especially my father who has threatened harsh treatment and kicking me out. My mother would be hurt if he acted on that. The last time I was discovered was five months ago; I wasn’t an adult then and my mom even asked me to leave the house. Sorry if I’m repetitive - I don’t have much experience writing about this. Please, if anyone can share scholarly guidance, practical steps, or duas that might help, I’d be very grateful. I want to balance obeying and honoring my parents while staying firm in my deen, and I hope, inshaAllah, things will get better. Jazakum Allahu khayran for any help.