My Brother’s Heartache Turned Him Away from Faith Because of Our Home
As-salamu alaykum, everyone. I’m sharing something really tough because I need advice. Our home is a difficult place, especially since we moved to Southeast Asia. My mom uses faith as a reason to control everything, and it’s led to a lot of emotional hurt, and sometimes physical too. My dad lives far away and just backs her up without really understanding what’s happening here, even supporting harsh things like cutting off our internet during holidays. The hardest part is my brother. Subhanallah, all the pain he’s gone through, with Mom telling him it’s about being a better Muslim-which isn’t true-has made him lose his iman completely. He said he doesn’t believe anymore, and it breaks my heart. I get it because I walked away from the Deen for a while too, because of the hypocrisy and hurt, but I found my way back on my own later. The last time he tried to talk about his doubts, it tore our family apart and brought so much stress I’d rather not go through that again, wallahi. Now, I’m the only one who knows how he really feels. I won’t force him or give lectures, since that’s what pushed him away in the first place. His disbelief feels like a shield to protect himself from my mom’s actions. My plan is to work hard, build a career, and insha’Allah move to a better place where I can show my family the mercy and respect we never had here. How can I support my brother when the people meant to protect his faith are driving him away? How do I help him stay strong when things are so tough at home?