Father is a drunkard...

Please help me cure my father of an increasingly dangerous alcohol problem. He has been drinking casually since his adolescence. He had kept it under control until about 5 years ago. In his early 50's at the time he was diagnosed with high blood pressure. This caused him to leave his job. He began drinking more. He went abroad for a time - he is usually able to control his drinking when abroad. He came back about 6 months ago. He spends most of his day watching TV - only leaves the house when necessary and is not looking for work. He hardly eats and drinks HEAVILY. This is causing extreme psychological damage to his wife who not only has to work to compensate for her husband not working but also has to look after their young child. She is very depressed and is concerned about the effect it will have on their young son.

We have tried to talk to him about it when he's sober. He either denies that he drinks or promises he will stop but always returns to it. I believe that the problem is not the alcohol but the reason that he is turning to the alcohol. His family has the usual problems but nothing to warrant this level of depression.

What can I do to understand why he does it and help him to stop? I have tried to improve myself and perfect my Dawa to him, but nothing I say or do makes him turn to Allah (SWT). He is a good man but is destroying himself and his family.

Assalamu alaykum

In the name of Allah the Inspirer of truth.

Continue to advise and encourage him along with ardent prayer for him. Find him some activity outside which he may be interested in. Encourage friends of his to help him out in this regard. Sometimes a friend of the same age would be more helpful than a son.

Beyond this, you may also consult with a specialist on the issue of alcohol addiction. This may well have to be a non-Muslim since Muslims in this field are relatively few.

All the while pray to Allah to deliver him from this problem. Salat al-haja performed at least once a day would be very useful in this regard. [See attached answer(s).]

Wassalam

Abdurrahman ibn Yusuf

The Prayer of Need (Salat al-Hajah)