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Need guidance on dealing with my father’s behavior - JazakAllah khair for any advice

Assalamu alaikum. I’m 30, married to a wonderful wife, and we still live with my parents for various reasons. My wife is fine with it. To keep it short: my father was very strict growing up because he wanted us to succeed as immigrants. Over time that strictness caused lasting emotional harm. One of my younger brothers died from epilepsy last year - he’d been struggling for years and saw a psychologist for a couple of years. He blamed our father in part for the childhood trauma. I don’t think Dad is to blame for everything, but some of my brother’s pain was related to how he raised us. Allahu a’lam. My mother is ten years younger than him and has mostly kept quiet her whole life. She’s silently carried so much, doing things behind his back to keep the household functioning and to protect us. Lately she just snaps - she’ll get angry, not speak to him for days or weeks when he does something without consulting her or acts in a way she thinks is wrong. He acts like he’s always right and treats mental health lightly. Maybe he’s slowly coming to understand, but he needs to accept that others aren’t like him. As the eldest, I’ve had to shoulder a lot. I can’t say it made me stronger without cost - inside I still grieve and wish things had been different, and I wonder if my brother would still be here. I’ve had to confront him many times; I’ve raised my voice enough that he won’t try to talk down to me or my wife now, but I still worry for my mother. I know talking harshly to parents is wrong in Islam, but if someone prays and still won’t change harmful behavior, how do you reconcile that with being a good Muslim? I’m staying in the house mainly for my mother because she needs support. I’m struggling with what the right approach is. Please, if your only advice is “calmly talk to him,” know I’ve tried and it doesn’t sink in - it just goes over his head. I’d appreciate practical, compassionate suggestions on how to protect my mother’s wellbeing while maintaining family ties and staying within Islamic guidance. JazakAllah khair for any sincere advice.

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Sympathies, mate. If he dismisses mental health, try framing it in religious terms - an imam explaining that caring for hearts is part of deen might make him listen more than psychology talk. Sometimes language matters more than facts with elders.

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Bro, heavy post. You’re doing right by staying. Maybe arrange regular counseling for your mother too, even if private, so she has support. And rotate who’s home so one of you isn’t always there to absorb his tempers.

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Man, that’s rough. Been there with a stubborn dad. If talking fails, document incidents and involve a neutral family mediator-uncle or cousin he respects. Protecting your mum doesn’t mean cutting ties, just limiting solo interactions when he’s volatile.

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Tough spot. Could you and your wife set clear household rules together and present them as family policy, not personal attacks? That removes direct blame and protects your mum. Also, simple safety plans for your mum when he snaps could help her feel safer.

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Assalamu alaikum brother, I’m so sorry for your loss. Sounds like you’re doing your best. Maybe set small boundaries that protect your mum - like agreed signals when he crosses a line - and get a trusted elder or imam to speak to him once, not to nag but to remind him gently. Stay strong for your mum.

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I feel for you. Losing a sibling changes everything. Maybe suggest family therapy framed as "strengthening family for everyone" so dad doesn’t feel blamed. If he refuses, prioritize mum’s mental health - small acts matter: accompany her to errands, be her listener.

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Brother, don’t carry guilt for what you couldn’t change. Practical step: get a frank one-time conversation with a respected community leader present, then enforce boundaries calmly. Protecting your mum is Islamic too - compassion sometimes means distance from harm.

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