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Parents are an immeasurable blessing bestowed upon every human being by Allah (SWT). They represent one of the most cherished gifts in our lives, being the very source of our existence. They play a pivotal role in guiding us through the highs and lows of life, often sacrificing their all for our happiness, and shaping us into the individuals we become. Those fortunate enough to have their parents’ presence and guidance in their lives should consider themselves truly blessed.
Every major religion around the world extols the importance of respecting, being kind to, and caring for one’s parents. Islam, in particular, places great emphasis on the honourable status and significance of parents, instructing Muslims to treat them with utmost kindness and respect. Both the Quran and Hadith, the two primary sources of Islamic guidance, underscore the importance of parents and how they should be treated.
The Quran, in several verses, highlights the significance of parents and the manner in which they should be treated. One of these verses states, “Your Lord has commanded, ‘Worship none but Him, and show kindness to parents. If one of them or both reach old age, don’t say to them, ‘uff’ (a word of anger or contempt), and don’t scold them. And address them with excellent speech” (Quran 17:23). This verse, as explained by Imam al-Qurtubi, makes it obligatory to respect and treat parents well, as it is coupled with the command to worship Allah, demonstrating the imperative nature of showing compassion and submission to parents.
In addition to this, the Quran references the importance of parents at least 15 times. The Quran’s message is clear: respecting and treating parents well is as crucial as worshipping Allah.
Furthermore, the Hadith, the sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), firmly emphasize the significance and nobility of parents. The Prophet (PBUH) made it evident that, after offering prayer, treating parents well is among the most favoured deeds in the sight of Allah. In one Hadith, he conveyed, “The Lord’s pleasure is in the parents’ pleasure, and the Lord’s anger is in the parents’ anger” (Tirmidhi).
The Prophet (PBUH) further emphasized the importance of serving one’s elderly parents, stating, “May his nose be rubbed in dust, may his nose be rubbed in dust, may his nose be rubbed in dust (may he be humiliated), (he said this thrice), who found his parents, one or both, approaching old age, but did not enter Paradise (Jannah) by serving them” (Sahih Muslim).
Both the Quranic verses and the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) underline the paramount position and honour of parents in Islam. They are deserving of the highest respect, and there is no room for even the slightest expression of anger or contempt towards them. Regrettably, many Muslims today tend to overlook the significance of honouring their parents as emphasized in our faith. Some have even resorted to the disheartening practice of sending their elderly parents to old age homes. It is disconcerting to witness the mistreatment and neglect that elderly parents, especially from married sons, endure. Such children choose to ignore their parents and isolate them from family discussions.
This is not fair. We must remember that our parents have sacrificed everything, including their own interests, for us. Our indebtedness to them, especially to our mothers, is immeasurable and cannot be fully repaid. It is incumbent upon children of all ages to display the utmost kindness, respect, and obedience to our parents. By doing so, we can hope for prosperity in both this world and the hereafter.
In conclusion, let us remember the following Hadith, “Paradise lies under the feet of mothers, and the door of Paradise is your parents” (Tirmidhi).
(Masroof Manzoor,
From nagbal Shopian,
Masters in Economics)
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