Title: Dealing with Christian Parents Question: I am an American Muslim - who accepted Islam about 8 years ago - El Hamdilla!!! I have one son Mohammed who is age 4 yrs. Unfortunately, I am in the process of getting a divorce and I've been hearing from my husband that he will teach my son that his mother's Christian family are going to Hell... and how they are very bad people because they are not Muslims. On many occasions I have talked to my parents about Islam and they respect me and believe I am doing right by Islam although they have not accepted it for themselves... Even if it is true that my Christian family are going to hell, I know in my heart that my husband is doing the wrong thing by viciously putting my parents down because of their religion... I know that I must still treat them with respect and listen to them as long as they don't tell me to do anything "against" my religion... Please tell me according to Islam the exact way in dealing with my parents and also how am I suppose to teach my children how to deal with them as well... Jazakallah Khair !! Sister in Islam, Greta Duffield Answer: The referred attitude of your husband is in no way approved by Islam. We neither have the knowledge nor enjoy the position to pass judgments about others. On the Day of Judgment, we shall be among the judged, not among those who shall judge. Only God, with His absolute knowledge, abounding grace and all-encompassing wisdom shall pass judgment about our own selves as well as the rest of humankind. In view of this fact, we should be more concerned about the 'logs' in our own eyes, rather than the 'specks' in others' eyes. Islam requires us to be extremely respectful toward our parents, irrespective of their religious affiliations. Goodness toward one's parents is the second most important directive of Islam as well as other Abrahamic religions. I really cannot imagine how can we expect from our children - especially those to whom we have ourselves taught disrespect toward their grandparents - to love and respect us in our old age. Passing judgments about the fate of others in the hereafter, in my opinion, is evidence of one's ignorance about Islam and what it stands for. May the Almighty forgive us for our ignorance and our transgressions. As for your children, you must teach them to as respectful towards their grandparents as you would want them to be towards yourselves. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad December 5, 2001