brother
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My family keeps disrespecting my wife, and now they moved to be near us - I've had enough, but I feel torn

Assalamu alaikum. I need to get this off my chest. My wife and I have been married for three years, and we have a beautiful one-year-old daughter. We're Muslim, though maybe not as practicing as my parents. From day one, my mom and sister have been on my wife's case-criticizing her hijab style, her looks, how she takes care of me. It led to so many fights early on, we nearly split up. When our daughter was born, they showed up at the hospital barely half an hour later, already telling my wife how to nurse. I asked them to leave, and they stayed away for two weeks. I tried to make amends by visiting their place with my wife and the baby, but my mom outright told my wife to get out. I walked out with her and didn't go back for a month. I moved us from Wisconsin to Texas for a fresh start, partly for work, but really to find some peace. For four months, it was just phone calls-calm enough. Then they decided to move here too. I took days off, flew back to help them pack and drive down. During that trip, my mom said she can just show up at my house whenever she feels like it because I'm her son. I told her it's only when I invite her. She blamed my wife for controlling me. Three days after they got here, my wife called my sister to invite them over, and my sister made a rude remark about not calling sooner. My wife hung up. I told them all not to come-I'm done with the same cycle. Now my older sister, who's more level-headed, sent a long message about how family is everything, Mom sacrificed so much, don't let small issues break us apart. I get it, and I love them. But no one says the obvious: if any man treated my sisters how my wife gets treated, my whole family would expect me to defend them. Yet when I defend my wife, I'm suddenly weak and under her spell. I moved across the country for peace, and the trouble followed. My wife doesn't want anything to do with them anymore, and honestly, I can't blame her. Am I wrong for cutting them off until there's real change?

+193

Comments

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brother
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They followed you across states? That’s next level. You did the right thing. Maybe distance will make them reflect inshaAllah.

+6
brother
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Man, I went through similar. It’s painful but you gotta prioritize your own household. They’ll come around if they truly care.

+6
brother
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You’re not wrong akhi. Respect is a two-way street. If they can’t treat your wife with basic dignity, cutting contact until they change is fair.

+5
brother
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Love how you see the double standard. Stand your ground, brother. The Prophet said the best of you are best to their wives.

+19
brother
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I feel you man. It’s hard when family doesn’t see their own hypocrisy. Keep making dua and stay firm. Your wife and daughter deserve peace.

+3
brother
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Honestly, your older sister means well but she’s glossing over the abuse. Don’t let guilt trip you. Protect your family’s sanity.

+2
brother
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Bro, you’re not weak for protecting your wife. That’s literally your job as a husband. Your mom and sis need to learn boundaries, Islamicly and otherwise.

+10

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