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Father is Obsessed with His Degrees!

06 November, 2020
Q I have a question concerning my husband and especially my son.

I got married about a year and a half ago. We have had some difficulties in our marriage because my husband did not fast. We are both Muslims, but all he cares about is getting more degrees.

He already has two Masters and a PhD. Now he wants to pursue medicine.

When we were engaged, I noticed he was a little too obsessed with school and did not have much of a religious background, but he said he would change and become more religious.

I always tell him to pray with me. Sometimes he does, but not all the time. I felt so guilty that he did not fast.

I feel that he will be such a bad example for my son and our future family. I thought I would be more of an influence, but the more I try the angrier he gets.

How do I raise a religious family while dealing with a husband who is so into school that he does not see anything (like Islam) beyond that?

Answer


In this counseling answer:

• Young people should know that in order to ensure a successful marriage, in sha’ Allah, they should never compromise on religion.

• Create “family time”.

• You need to talk to your parents and even to his parents to seek their help in dealing with your husband.

• Do not give up on making du’a to Allah.


As-salamu `Alaikum,

Thank you for writing.

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We understand that you feel frustrated in dealing with your husband. Therefore, we make du`aa’ to Allah to grant you the patience and the perseverance in dealing with him.

Your concerns about your husband and the impact he will have on your son are very valid! Here are some thoughts for your consideration.

People Seldom Keep Engagement Promises

First, although it is too late to tell you this now, our experience tells us that a person seldom becomes “more religious” even if they promised during the engagement period. Therefore, you already knew about his “obsession” with academic degrees and his lack of interest in his Islamic obligations.

The only reason we raise this point is to help you help others who are getting ready for marriage. Tell young people that in order to ensure a successful marriage, in sha’ Allah, they should never compromise on religion. But all is not lost, in sha’ Allah, and there is hope.

Pray Together, Stay Together

Second, we suggest that you speak more directly to your husband regarding the impact of his behavior on your marriage and on you personally.


Father is Obsessed with His Degrees! - About Islam

We realize that you have already tried to influence him, and lately he just gets angrier the harder you try. However, at this point, we suggest you try a different strategy.

Instead of focusing solely on the acts of praying and fasting, try to speak to him directly about the very clear obligations that he has to Allah, to you, and to his son.

Let him know that you want him to change and become more religious.

Tell him that you do not want him to necessarily stop everything academic, but that you are convinced he will have more success, in sha’ Allah, if he establishes a stronger relationship with Allah.

Let him know that when he does not fulfill his obligations towards Allah, he does not only hurt himself but hurts you as well because you want to have a husband who will help you get closer to Allah.

In addition, as your son becomes older, he will want to imitate his father. How tragic it would be if your son disobeys you, citing the fact that his own father does not pray or fast.

Do your best to create “family time” in which you and he can pray together, read the Qur’an together, and begin, in due time, to teach your son about Islam together. A family that prays together, stays together, in sha’ Allah.

Do Not Attempt To Deal With Your Husband Alone

Third, you should continue making every effort to remind your husband in the best manner possible. However, in the end, you will have to make a very difficult choice.

The reality is that at some point, your husband could go from being neglectful of his obligations in Islam to totally abandon those obligations. In sha’ Allah, this will not happen.

However, you have to be prepared for that reality because, at the point where your husband willingly abandons his obligations to Allah, your marriage could be ruled invalid. You would be a Muslim woman married to a Muslim man who has chosen to “leave” Islam.

We hope and pray that the situation never comes to this, but you have to prepare for it.

Talk to your parents and even to his parents to seek their help in dealing with your husband. They need to know now that you face major problems in your marriage. Do not attempt to deal with your husband alone.


Watch this counselling video for more help


Make Du’a

Finally, make lots of du`aa’ to Allah to guide your husband and to protect him and your family.

Do not delay in addressing this matter. It is very serious. Try to appeal to your husband.


And Allah knows best.

***

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About Dr. Abdullah Abdur Rahman
Dr. Abdullah Abdur Rahman had obtained his Masters and PhD in Social Work and has worked in the US as a licensed social worker since then. His focus is on counseling Muslims in non-Muslim countries, with special emphasis on life in North America, counseling adolescents, pre-marital counseling, online counseling for married couples and da`wah (inviting people to Islam).