Struggling with the Men in My Family

As-salamu alaykum, I grew up around just two men, my father and my brother. They were meant to be my protectors and providers-the ones I should feel safe with. But instead, they’ve caused me years of pain and confusion because I was never treated with kindness or respect. Here’s what “normal” has looked like for me: - Being forced out of the car on a busy road after an argument. - Being humiliated in public while they smile like it’s nothing. - Hearing harsh words and insults that I can’t even bring myself to say. - Physical harm from my brother. I try to defend myself, but he’s stronger, so I end up hurt. - Constant emotional and verbal abuse. Sometimes I wish I couldn’t hear the shouting, the doors slamming, the hateful names. They often talk about what it means to be a “real man” in Islam-how a man should provide, protect, and lead. But when it comes to their own actions, they fall short every day. I’m tired. Tired of watching other sisters treated with respect by their fathers and brothers. Tired of wanting just the basics-dignity and kindness-and feeling small for it. Tired of being made to feel worthless by the very men who should love me the most. I can’t fully hate them because family and blood ties are sacred in Islam, and that makes everything harder. My heart won’t let me cut them off completely, but I also can’t carry this pain forever. Every night in sujood, I ask Allah for peace, for respect, for dignity-things no one should have to beg for. I’ve heard that a father is responsible for the future of his daughters, and that scares me because I know what kind of men are in my family. What does that mean for me and my future? Right now, I feel lost and trapped. I don’t know how to fix this broken family or heal from the hurt it causes me every day.