Q: The questioner’s father works as a public servant in the Egyptian government. He accepts bribes and insults Qur’an and Hadiths. If the Ayahs speaking of Hijab (veil) are mentioned before him, he says: “Abandon this extremism!” Sometimes he performs Salah (prayer) in the Masjid (mosque), sometimes in other places. He may also combine the prayers at one time. As for the questioner’s mother, she does not pray at all, but his sisters pray. Is he permitted to live with them? What is the ruling on eating and living off the money earned by this father? Please, give us your legal opinion.

A: Insulting Qur’an and authentic Hadiths is an act of Kufr (disbelief) that puts the doer outside the pale of Islam. Abandoning Salah intentionally is also an act of Kufr. As for accepting bribes, it is one of the major sins. Firstly: You have to advise your parents to offer the Five Obligatory Daily Prayers at their prescribed times. (Part No. 2; Page No. 14) You also have to advise your father to refrain from cursing in general and cursing the Qur’an and Hadiths in particular. He should also stop scorning Hijab and abstain from accepting bribes. If your father accepts your advice, thank Allah! If not, you have to continue advising your parents and treating them kindly, perhaps Allah makes you a cause of their guidance. However, you should not associate with them in a way that may spoil your faith. You should never ill-treat them; rather you should accompany them in this worldly life with due kindness and respect. You also have to keep advising your sisters lest they should be tempted away from the right path as a consequence of living in close association with your parents. Secondly: If all the earnings of your father are ill-gotten, you should not eat from what he earns. But if his income is a mixture of lawful and unlawful gains, you are permitted to eat from it, according to the soundest scholarly opinion in this regard. If you can do without it, it will be better for you. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.