asalamualaykum I know Islam permits a “cooling off period” of 3 days, where you can avoid speaking to a person for 3 days. Does this also apply to parents? At times, my father makes me very upset, by shouting at me, telling me to go to hell, and screaming other hurtful things at me. Following such incidents, which are not rare, I feel uncomfortable in his presence and do not wish to speak to him. Is it permissible for me to avoid speaking to him for 3 days, granted that he does not ask anything of me or command anything of me? jazakallahu khair
All praise be to Allah, and may His blessings and peace be on His last messenger, Muhammad,
It is impermissible for someone to shun his parents.
Allah said,
وَإِن جَاهَدَاكَ عَلَىٰ أَن تُشْرِكَ بِي مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا وَصَاحِبْهُمَا فِي الدُّنْيَا مَعْرُوفًا وَاتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ مَنْ أَنَابَ إِلَيَّ ثُمَّ إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness and follow the way of those who turn back to Me [in repentance]. Then to Me will be your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do. [Sahih International, 31:15]
If you should continue to accompany them in this world with appropriate kindness despite their effort to sway you away from the religion, then it is even more evident that you should not shun your Muslim parents.
Having said that, it seems that you are not asking about shunning because you said, “granted that he does not ask anything of me or command anything of me.” In this case, you may limit the contact with him, at times, to spare yourself harm, while continuing to show dutifulness towards him and obedience concerning any matter that is not a sin and that doesn’t cause you harm (for more on this, refer to this answer).
Allah knows best.