Q: What are the rights of our parents upon us as convert Muslims? (Mind you our parents are non Muslims) Since someone said, even their prayers don't help us with anything because they are not Muslims and they are therefore not important to us because they are non Muslims. Is this true?
Another question is that once you get married and your parents ask you to do something for them whilst your husband refuses, who should you obey? We know Islam says jannah lies under your mother's feet so when it comes to that, which side does the woman take? Does she have to obey the husband and ignore the parents?
A: After nikaah, a wife is supposed to listen to her husband and obey him in all matters that are permissible in Shariah.
Therefore, if your non-Muslim mother wants you to do something and your husband is not happy with it, then you should obey your husband.
The meaning of the Hadith "jannah lies under the feet of the mother" is that serving the mother is a means for one entering jannah. This hadith is in relation to a Muslim mother.
As far as a non-Muslim mother is concerned, then she does not possess imaan which is the main requirement for one to enter jannah, so how can jannah be under her feet.
Nevertheless, the teaching of Islam is that one should treat one's non-Muslim parents with kindness and compassion and show them good character as this good conduct will be a means of inviting them to Islam.
Note: When interacting with one's non-Muslim parents, one should ensure at all times that one does not compromise any of one's Islamic obligations which one owes to Allah Ta‘ala or to the Muslims (i.e. one's husband, family or the general Muslims).
After salaah, make sincere dua to Allah Ta'ala to guide your non-Muslim parents to Islam.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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