Is the duty of honouring one’s parents waived if they practise witchcraft against their children?

A father did witchcraft against his daughter, who is my wife now, in order to cause separation between us and make his daughter unaware of what is going on. What is the religious ruling in this case? Should she cut off ties with him? Please note that he is persisting in trying to create separation between us by these deviant means. Or is it sufficient for her to keep in touch with him by phone, especially on the two Eids?.

Praise be to Allaah.

The right of parents to kind treatment is not waived even if they practise witchcraft and deviancy and seek to harm their children thereby. 

Allaah has enjoined us to behave with them in this world kindly, even if they tell their son to associate others with Allaah (shirk). Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not; but behave with them in the world kindly”

[Luqmaan 31:15] 

Even if the father commits a major sin, it is not permissible to forsake him, rather you must treat him kindly and exhort him in the way that is better, and do not tire of advising him, for Allaah may guide him at your hands. At the same time you must be cautious of him and avoid the things that he could use in his witchcraft such as eating or drinking in his presence, and you should also protect yourself with the du’aa’s that are prescribed in Islam for that purpose. 

If you are afraid that visiting him may lead to harm for you, then there is no sin on you if you refrain from visiting him, and limit your keeping in touch and kindness to phone calls, asking after him and helping him if he needs help. 

The father has to fear Allaah and give up the major sin that he is committing (if it is as his daughter describes) before death catches him unawares when he is like that. We also advise the questioner not to accuse her father of what she mentioned without definite proof. It may be the matter of doubts and waswaas, with no basis in reality. 

And Allaah knows best.