About the fatwa

Date :

Fri, May 22 2015

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Question

Do sins have any effect on the family of the sinner?

My parents say that if I commit sin it would have an affect on the entire family. Lately they have been going through some hard times such as loosing money by theft and paying penalties. Can it be because of me or the sins that I have commited in past? It does not seem correct to me, if God for bid my mom or did commit a sin will all the children be affected by it?
Answer
Answer

Praise be to Allaah. 

No person will be punished for the sins of another. Each person will be brought to account for his own sins. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And no bearer of burdens shall bear another’s burden”[Faatir 35:18]

 But if the father or mother commits a sin, this may be a cause of making the family members follow their example. 

Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 2/610

 But the consequences of the sins committed by the sinner may go beyond him to affect his family, as a punishment for him and a test for his family. Allaah tests man with disasters in order to expiate for his sins, and Allaah may test people with blessings. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

 “We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good” [al-Anbiya’ 21:35]

 Whatever the case, the Muslim must avoid sin so that he will not be subject to the wrath and anger of Allaah. And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid