[Q 686] Obeying Parents About University

Question

If parents are not happy with you going to university and demanding you to stop going, is it fardh to obey them in this? And is the hukm for a boy and girl the same in this matter?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
الجواب بعون الملك الوهاب اللهم هداية الحق والصواب

Answer

In Islamic Shari’ah, obeying parents holds great importance. Allah Almighty has commanded obedience to parents in the Holy Qur’an. Therefore, obedience to parents in commands that are not against Shari’ah is wajib to the extent of one’s ability. However, it is not permissible to obey anyone in unlawful matters.
Therefore, in the asked scenario, if parents forbid going to university, then it is wajib that you do not go to university. Rather, you should find an alternative solution, for example, enroll in online classes at the university, or lovingly seek permission from your parents. If permission is granted, then go to university, provided that there is no Shari’ah-related defect or harm in going to or studying at the university. In this matter, the ruling is the same for both boys and girls.

In Tafsiraat Ahmadiyyah, Mulla Jiwan رحمه الله states:

اطاعتھما فی غیر المعاصی فواجب بقدر ما امکن

Translation: Obedience to them (parents) in matters other than sins (i.e., permissible matters) is wajib to the extent possible (i.e., according to one’s ability).

(Tafsiraat Ahmadiyyah, vol. 21, p. 606, Published: Quetta)

It is stated in Tafsir Mazhari:

يجب إطاعتهما إذا امرا بشئ مباح لا يمنعه العقل و الشرع

Translation: It is wajib to obey them (parents) when they command something permissible that is not forbidden by intellect or Shari’ah.

(Tafsir Mazhari, vol. 7, p. 256, Published: Al-Pakistan)

Answered by: Tabaruk Madani (AskMufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated answer
Date: 29th July 2026