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Can I give my husband an ultimatum? (Need advice, assalamu alaykum)

Assalamu alaykum - I need honest advice. My husband’s gaming is making raising our child really hard, and I’m thinking about asking him to uninstall most games. Is that reasonable for the family’s sake? Instead of trying to improve his job situation so he can help pay for our daughter’s schooling, he spends hours gaming and then complains about work and pay the next day. When I’ve been trying to get her to sleep for hours and I ask for help, he brings her into the room so he can finish a game, which wakes her up more - and she shouldn’t be watching violent shooting scenes anyway. He sometimes leaves her to sleep on a thin floor mat instead of her bed while he keeps sleeping, so I stay up making sure she’s warm and okay. When I go ask him if he wants something to eat or just to talk, he speaks to me like I’m a servant, with a rude tone, and our daughter sees and hears it. He also swears and yells at the game loudly; she hears that too even with doors closed. Because I have no help and he plays 5–6 hours most days, I’m exhausted, depressed, stressed, and anxious. I get nightmares during the tiny 2–4 hours I sleep. I end up ordering food because I don’t have the energy to cook for myself, yet I force myself to cook his special gym meals. I can’t exercise, I’ve gained weight, and I’m worried about my health - I need to be well to care for our child. My father (who isn’t Muslim) told me to relax and said it’s wrong to demand he uninstall all games or force him into productivity. But this situation is making me physically and mentally unwell. From an Islamic perspective, am I allowed to give him an ultimatum if it’s for the family’s welfare? What would be a balanced, Islamic way to handle this so our child and marriage aren’t harmed? Jazakum Allah khair for any guidance.

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You’re not overreacting. Kids copy what they see - the yelling and rude tone matters. Try involving a trusted imam or family mediator before ultimatums, but do protect your mental health. Do what’s best for your daughter if he keeps refusing.

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Sweetheart, put your health first. Short-term ultimatum like ‘cut gaming to 1 hour daily or we get help/mediation’ can be fair. Make it clear it’s for the child and marriage, not punishment. If he loves you, he’ll try. If not, don’t ignore the harm.

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I’d say be direct and set boundaries now. He needs to understand parenting is a priority. Offer alternatives (scheduled game nights, shared tasks) but be ready to follow through if nothing changes. You deserve support and peace at home.

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This sounds exhausting. My advice: document incidents, ask for small measurable changes (like no gaming when baby’s awake), and mention schooling support plan. If no improvement, an ultimatum for therapy or shared duties is reasonable. You shouldn’t suffer alone.

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Honestly, been there. I’d try a firm calm sit-down first: chores split, gaming limits, and counselling if he won’t change. If he still ignores you, yeah, set consequences. Your wellbeing comes first, sister. Praying you get relief soon.

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As-salamu alaykum, you have every right to protect your child and health. Ultimatum might be okay if it’s a last resort after talking calmly and setting clear duties. Boundaries aren’t un-Islamic. Don’t feel guilty for prioritizing your safety and your daughter’s. Sending dua. ♥️

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