The imamate of one who abuses and torments his father

Question

A man greatly torments his elderly father, sometimes leaves him to go hungry, quarrels with him, and once even deceived his father. The father does not pray. What is the ruling on appointing such a person as imam?

Answer

When a father is poor and weak and unable to earn his living, his maintenance (nafaqa) is the son's responsibility. Even if the father does not pray and is sinful, honouring one's father is wajib and binding, and abusing and tormenting him is haram.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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