The Shathli Sect do not Pray or Fast and My Father is ordering me to follow Them

The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Legal Rulings read the following question which was sent to His Eminence, the General Director, the text of which is as follows:

Question :

There is a sect known as Ash-Shathliyyah, who neither pray nor fast, nor give Zakat, and there is a person whom they call: Sayyiduna (Our Master) and they say that he occupies the place of their 'lord', and he is their representative on the Last Day, he forgives them everything which they do in their lives in this world. These people meet on Monday and Friday mornings every week, and my father is forcing me to join them, and he becomes angry when he sees me fasting or praying and he says these words to me: "Our Master will forgive us everything and protect us from the Fire (i.e. they will definitely enter Paradise)." Of course, his words are incorrect, for he (i.e. their 'Master') is only a person like them, so what should I do? Please guide me. I know that Allah is my Lord and that Muhammad is Allah's Prophet and His Messenger, that my religion is Islam and I perform its five pillars. Should I obey my father, I should be guilty of disobeying the Commands of my Creator, and Allah said in His Book:
And say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them, but address them in terms of honor.

If I do not obey him, he will always be angry with me and arguing with me so that I will join him in this sect. Bearing in mind that I am unable to support myself and there is none in the family who will support me except my mother. What can I do? Please guide me to what will please Allah and escape from the anger of my father, who does not believe in prayer, fasting or the true Islamic religion, which is prescribed for all.

Answer:

The Committee replied as follows: If the situation is as you say, that your father and those with him in this sect do not pray and do not fast and that they believe that their leader or their Shaikh holds the position of a lord, who will guarantee them Paradise and forgive them all of their evil deeds, then they are disbelievers and if your father orders you to be one of them and forbids you to pray and fast, then do not obey him, for there is no obedience to any created being which involves disobedience to the Creator. Implement what Allah has commanded and abstain from what He has forbidden, and treat your parents in this world with justice in fulfillment of the Words of Allah, the Most High:
And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years give thanks to Me and to your parents unto Me is the final destination. But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that have no knowledge, then obey them not, but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience. Then to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do.

So be with the believers, those who are truthful in the faith which Allah has ordained and which His Messenger expounded for us, and in acting in accordance with the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger. Try to bear the harm that may come to you while following Allah's path, for adhering to the path of those who turn in repentance to Allah, is better and more suitable for final determination. It is obligatory upon you to leave them, lest they should send you astray. We hope that Allah will make a way for you to find a living, for sustenance is in Allah's Hand, not in the hand of your father, nor any other creature.

And may peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet, Muhammad and upon his family and Companions.
Source:
The Permanent Committee
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 1 Pages 334-335-336