Question:
She (the questioner) says her husband’s father committed a mistake. Her mother-in-law hid the mistake and supported her husband, saying it did not happen. Because of this, the issue became big and her husband hit his mother for supporting his father and hiding the mistake. In Islam, one should not even say “uff” (a word expressing irritation) to one’s mother. However, she says her husband loves his mother deeply, but he lost control of his anger when she spoke unjustly and hit her. The mother cursed him. Will Allahﷻ accept the mother’s curse?
Answer:
There are several issues here. First, even if the mother did something wrong, the son has no right to hit her under any circumstances. If she hid her husband’s mistake, hiding faults is actually encouraged in Islam. To you, the mistake may seem serious, but those who conceal others’ faults will receive great reward in the Hereafter. Allahﷻ will conceal their faults in return.
Even if she were not his wife, if someone sees another person’s mistake and conceals it to protect that person’s dignity, it is considered a virtuous act. If someone asks why you did not expose the wrongdoing, it is not a crime to conceal it. The Prophetﷺ taught that whoever conceals a Muslim’s faults, Allahﷻ will conceal his faults on the Day of Judgment.
Sometimes concealing faults for the sake of goodness is not sinful, even if it involves speaking in a way that avoids exposing someone. If a person intends goodness, he is not considered a liar. In marital life, husbands and wives often conceal each other’s faults for the sake of preserving family harmony. This is part of protecting dignity and maintaining peace in the household. Children or outsiders have no right to interfere in such matters. Investigating and exposing such issues unnecessarily is wrong.
Therefore, even if the mother concealed her husband’s mistake, she did not commit wrongdoing according to Islamic ethics. But the son committed wrongdoing by hitting her. Even if she had done wrong, he still has no right to punish her. He could only advise, not assault.
Regarding the curse: If someone is unjustly beaten and they curse the attacker, such a curse may indeed be accepted, especially if it is from a mother. However, if the son sincerely apologizes and asks forgiveness, and the mother forgives him, the curse may be withdrawn. If the person who was wronged forgives, the matter is considered closed before Allahﷻ.