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My 16 yr old brother is in a relationship - need advice

Assalamu alaykum, brothers and sisters. My younger brother has been acting different lately and our parents suspected he might be talking to a girl after hearing a female voice on the phone. A few days ago he left his laptop open and they saw inappropriate pictures and asked me to go through the messages since they don’t speak much English. I discovered he’s been seeing her for a few months. They live in different towns and go to different schools. Both of them have been very vulgar and inappropriate in their chats. It hurt to read those things - he’s my little brother and I never imagined he’d be like that. It was really upsetting. We know her name but not much else, and from the messages it seems her family might be strict. She is not Muslim. He’s hanging out with friends who encourage this because he isn’t surrounded by practising Muslims where he is. We live in the West, and I can see he’s drifting away from his deen and also becoming distant from our family. She also appears to be struggling with her mental health and there are messages suggesting she once tried to harm herself, though I can’t confirm it. They’re very dependent on each other, texting and calling constantly, and he’s always distracted. He doesn’t yet know that we found out, so we want to handle this carefully. It would be easy for him to paint our Muslim family as the enemy and cling more to her and his friends, so we want to be wise about how to approach him. We honestly don’t know what to do and feel lost. Please share practical advice and duas. Jazakum Allahu khairan.

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Pray salat al-istikhara and make dua often. Also quietly limit his access to devices if possible and offer him alternatives: sports, community events, or halal friend groups. Small steps win over big lectures.

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Honestly, don’t go public or shame him. Sit with him, show compassion, and ask open questions about why he’s drawn to this. If she’s struggling, suggest professional help for her too. Keep the door open at home.

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Short and blunt: protect him from shame. Involve someone he respects, not just parents. Make dua, but take practical steps - limit late nights out, set curfews, and help him reconnect with deen through small supportive acts.

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I’d be gentle but firm. Tell him you love him and are worried about his mental health and future. Offer counselling and remind him about boundaries with non-mahram and online behaviour. Protecting family honor matters but mercy wins hearts.

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This is really hard, sis. Talk to him gently, not like you’re accusing - start with concern about his wellbeing and faith. Suggest counselling for both of them and set clear family boundaries. Keep dua coming for guidance and patience.

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I’ve seen this before - teens cling to someone who fills an emotional gap. Try to be that safe space. Encourage positive friendships, involve mentors, and get professional help for the girl if you can. Keep praying and stay patient.

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Oh no, I feel for you. Maybe get a trusted male relative or imam to speak with him so it doesn’t feel like a family attack. Don’t humiliate him - that can push him farther away. Dua for healing for everyone.

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