Q: I used to live with my parents in a village far from Tamil. My parents were non-Muslims. One day, a scholar from Tamil visited us and gave us an eloquent talk, after which I embraced Islam when I was seven years old. I began to learn from this scholar until he died. My father asked me then to abandon Islam, but I refused. (Part No. 25; Page No. 275) Thereafter, he began to torture me extremely until I was on the verge of dying. I ran away and came to Tamil. Do I have to be obedient to my father? When he dies, do I have to attend his funeral? Can I abandon my religion out of love for my father? I am in pain to the extent that I want to commit suicide. May Allah help you and make you reach your aims. He is Near and the Hearer of Du`a' (supplication). As-salamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)

A: If the situation is as you mentioned, you should praise Allah that He has guided you to Islam. Be steadfast, learn religious rulings and follow the right path. Do not obey your father in his call for Kufr (disbelief) or disobedience to Allah. There is no obedience to a creature in things that involves disobedience to Allah. Pleasing Allah by adopting Islam is more important than pleasing your parents by following their way of Kufr and misguidance. However, you have to be dutiful to your parents, even if they are non-Muslims, and behave kindly to them, whether by supporting them, treating them kindly, speaking to them politely, inviting them to Islam with wisdom and gentle encouragement, and guiding them to the evidence on truth, so that they may be guided by Allah to Islam. If any of them refuses to accept Islam, there is no harm on you in burying them after their death, but without offering Salah (Prayer) or Du`a' for them. You should not participate with the people of their religion in their rituals at the funeral and burial, and other sinful customs that follow. (Part No. 25; Page No. 276) Allah (Exalted be He) states, And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years - give thanks to Me and to your parents. Unto Me is the final destination. But if they (both) strive against you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not; but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience. Then to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.