Can My Sins Affect My Family?

Question: 9047

My parents say that if I commit sin it would have an effect on the entire family.

Lately they have been going through some hard times such as losing money by theft and paying penalties. Can it be because of me or the sins that I have committed in the past?

It does not seem correct to me, if God forbid my mom or did commit a sin will all the children be affected by it?

Summary of answer

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.

Answer

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family.

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

{And no bearer of burdens shall bear another’s burden.} [Fatir 35:18]

But if the father or mother commits a sin, this may be a cause of making the family members follow their example. (End quote from Majmu` Fatawa Ash-Shaykh Ibn Baz, 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.

Allah tests man with disasters in order to expiate for his sins, and Allah may test people with blessings. Allah 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 Allah.

And Allah knows best.

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Source:

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid