New Convert Asking How to Behave with Her Buddhist Family

13-9-2003 | IslamWeb

Question:

I am a new convert to Islam. Allah guided me. My questions:
1) Can I take off my Hijab before my family members?
2) Can I pray in my mother's house where there are pictures, stones that she worships?
3) Can I stay in her home and cook Halal food for her to eat? I have a plan to return to my country to do Da'wah with my family. My mother is Buddhist.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

You may remove your Niqaab (face veil) in front of your family members who are Mahaarim (unmarriageable relatives) if it does not lead to any temptation. Mahaarim here means those men who are permanently forbidden to you in marriage. Know that some Mahaarim are also of weak faith, so one should not unveil herself in front of them. However, if they are relatives but not among the Mahaarim, such as the maternal or paternal cousins, then you should not expose yourself to them. You must not marry anyone, as long as he is non-Muslim. Allah Says (what means): {…they are not lawful [wives] for them, nor are they lawful [husbands] for them.} [Quran 60:10]

Performing the prayers where there are pictures or stones that are worshipped, is not desirable. So, it is better to perform the prayers in a place free from such things. However, it is merely not desirable, so the prayers performed in that place are valid especially if there is a need for that. In addition, you may stay in your mother's home and may cook for them since being good with one's parents is strongly emphasized in the Sharee’ah even if they are non-Muslims. Finally, we advise you to be kind with your parents and serve them as much as possible and try your best to convey the message of Islam to your relatives with wisdom and good manners.

Allah knows best.