Struggling with Estrangement from Abusive Family
Assalamu alaikum. I'm a sister who came to Islam a few years ago, and my birth family is… really difficult. They've been abusive in so many ways-physically, emotionally, and worse, including things I can't even say without a warning. Animal abuse too. Since I reverted, it's gotten even harder because trying to live as a Muslim-with good character and boundaries-shows up everything wrong in how they act. They see it as me being ‘too much’ and it's like they've united against me. I kept sabr for nearly three years, making dua for them, but I've been made homeless twice. The second time, I was carrying my baby. My mother twists Islam to mock me, like saying ‘the mother is respected three times more, right?’ as if respect means I should forget what they've done and just take it. My brother makes fun of me for ‘believing in a man in the clouds,’ and my father calls Islam a cult, says sorry, then does it again. He even mocks how I stand and goes ‘that’s a Muslim’ in this sarcastic tone. I can't understand it. They let my brother throw me out when I was pregnant. I blocked my father and brother because they deny the sexual abuse. My mother only says she loves and misses me when I'm distant for a while, but face to face she tells me I can't tell anyone I was kicked out, that I ‘chose’ to leave. She's passive-aggressive, sides with my brother, and says he couldn't have done those things. Reading her texts makes me cry because I know the pattern-my heart just breaks. I don't want to upset Allah. I know cutting family ties is a big sin, and I've carried so much shame. Some friends make me feel wrong for stepping back, but I believe I have to protect myself and my child from harm before putting their comfort first. When I'm with them, they force me to hide my Islam, to act like them, or else I'm ‘self-righteous.’ It's exhausting. I just need to know-has anyone else been through this? Reverts or even those raised Muslim, facing this kind of rejection for speaking up about abuse? Jazakallah khair for any words. **TW: abuse, SA, homelessness, pregnancy**