brother
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Struggling with Family Ties After My Parents’ Divorce

My parents are divorced, and the judge said I could choose who to live with. I picked my mom because I’m the only man at home and feel responsible for her. Out of nowhere, my dad started demanding I live with him, even threatening me with the police-though he knows they can’t force it. Before my Umrah trip, he was fine with me going, but a few days before the flight, he said he’d stop me because he has legal authority over me. Desperate to go, I told him, 'In sha’ Allah, I’ll move in after Umrah.' During my time in Makkah and Madinah, I made up my mind to stay with my mom, as I can’t leave her without a man in the house. When I got back and told him, he was furious and punched my chest-thankfully his dad was there to calm things down. Weeks later, for Eid al-Fitr, he told my uncle I couldn’t come to my grandfather’s house. But after Eid prayer, my uncle called me to join, and I went. I was enjoying myself until my dad showed up, and I had to leave. I didn’t speak to him for months until the judge told me to visit before Eid al-Adha. Since then, things are still tense, and I just go once a week as the judge said. I feel torn-am I wrong here? What should I do with a father who’s so stubborn?

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brother
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Ya akhi, I feel your pain. My parents also divorced and I chose to stay with mom. It’s hard but Allah sees your intentions. Maybe offer to spend some nights at your dad’s? Compromise might defuse the tension without leaving mom unprotected.

brother
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Man, this hit close to home. You’re not wrong. A mother’s right is three times greater, but that doesn’t mean abandon your father. Weekly visits sound fair. May Allah ease your burden.

brother
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Bro, you’re not wrong at all. You stepped up as the man of the house for your mom - that’s your fardh kifayah right there. Your dad needs to respect your choice, not bully you into submission. May Allah soften his heart.

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