Preventing a Father from Seeing His Daughter

Question: My nephew married my daughter more than twenty years ago, and he now refuses to let me see my daughter and my granddaughters. What is the ruling of the Sharia on this? Please advise me, and may Allah reward you with every good.

Answer: Allah, exalted is He, has commanded that the bonds of kinship be maintained and has forbidden cutting them off. Therefore, what you have mentioned—your daughter’s husband preventing you from seeing her and her children—is not permissible. By doing so he is driving you to sever family ties and is standing between you and the relatives whom Allah has obliged you to keep connected with. He is also depriving you of seeing your own children, despite the natural compassion a parent feels and the eagerness to see them. In doing this he incurs sin, unless he has a legitimate Sharʿi excuse—such as a clear harm that would result from your seeing them or having access to them. In such a case there would be grounds for him to prevent the visit.

If, however, no harm exists, it is unlawful for him to block a relative from another relative—especially a parent from his children. Allah knows best.

Advising One’s Parents

Question: Allah has commanded His believing servants to enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. If one of a person’s parents slips into error and that person advises them, is this considered ʿuqūq (undutifulness to one’s parents)? Please clarify for us, and may Allah bless you.