PARENTS

In accordance with Islamic teachings, the status that is given after Almighty Allah and His Prophet (Peace be upon him) is that of parents.

If one's parents are pleased with him or her, then that person has gained the pleasure of Almighty Allah and his Prophet (Peace be upon him).

The Pleasure of Almighty Allah and His Beloved Prophet (Peace be upon him) can never be gained if one's parents are displeased.

It is the duty of every child to serve his or her parents and be kind to them. They can do this by not showing disrespect and causing pain to them.

Holy Beloved Prophet (Peace be upon him) has said:

* A disobedient child will not enter Jannah (Paradise).

* To look at your parents with love will gain you the Rewards of Hajj.

* Paradaise lies under the feet of your mother.

* Father is the "Gate to Paradise".

One day a Sahabi (Companion of Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) was commanded by his parents to divorce his wife. When he relayed this message to the Beloved Prophet (Peace be upon him), the Prophet (Peace be upon him) advised him to follow his parent's advice.

It is an accepted fact that one may always have a wife and a child, but parents only come once. We should ponder over the fact that if it had not been for our parents, where would we be? A child can never repay or fulfill the right of his or her parents.

It must be noted that the status of the mother is very exalted. The scholars of Islam have written that if the son is engaged in Nafil Salaah (Additional Prayers) and if his mother calls to him, then he should adhere to her call and present himself before her.

ACKNOWLEDGING THE STATUS OF PARENTS AND DISCHARGING THE DUTIES TOWARDS THEM

The Beloved Prophet of Islam (Peace be upon him) had directed Muslims to show respect and honour their parents even if the parents of Muslims were non-Muslims ill-disposed towards Islam. In Islam, after the duties towards the Supreme Almighty Allah, priority has been given to the duties towards parents (either one or both of them).

The Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) instructed Muslims to speak to their parents in the kindest manner that would be soothing to their ears, and never to chide, shout or rebuke them. He also advised that Paradise becomes unlawful (Haraam) for those who are disobedient to their parents; and that long life can only be gained through obedience to parents.

The Holy Quran states:

  “Thy Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them. But address them in terms of honour.”

  “And out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say, 'My Lord! Bestow on them thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.”

(Surah 17, Verses 23-24)

 “We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents. In pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth.”

(Surah Ahqaf (46), Verse 15)

"And we have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents; in travail upon travail did his mother bear him. And in years twain was his weaning; (hear the Command) 'Show gratitude to Me (Allah) and to thy parents; to Me (Allah) is thy final goal.'"

(Surah Luqman (31), Verse 14)

The followings are Hadith (Messages) from the various books of Hadith that refer to a Muslims duty towards his or her parents:

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that a man enquired:

“O Prophet of Allah! Who is the most proper person for my good association?”

Holy Beloved Prophet Muhammed (Peace be upon him) replied:

“Thy mother” Then he asked: "Who is next?" Holy Prophet replied, "Thy mother." Then he asked: "Who is next?" Holy Prophet replied, "Thy mother." He enquired: "Who is next?" He said, "Thy father."

(Bukhari and Muslim)

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:

"May he be humbled! May he be humbled! May he be humbled!" It was questioned: "Who? O Prophet of Allah?"

He (Peace be upon him) said: "The one who finds parents in their old age - one of them or both of them, and yet does not enter Paradise"

(Muslim)

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Amr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:

"The pleasure of the Lord is in the pleasure of the father, and the displeasure of the Lord is in the displeasure of the father."

(Tirmidi)

Sayyiduna Abu Osaid-as Sayedi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

We were near the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) when a man of Banu Salemah came to him and asked:

"O Apostle of Allah! Is there any obedience to parents left that I can show to them after their demise?"

Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) replied:

"Yes, to pray for them, to seek forgiveness for them, to fulfill their instructions after their death, to keep affinity with those who are not connected with you but through them, and to honour their friend."

(Sunan Abu Dawood and Ibne Majah)

Sayyiduna Mu'awiyah bin Ja'hemah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that Ja'hemah came to the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) and said:

"O Messenger of Allah! I intend to join a battle and have come to you for consultation."

Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) enquired, "Have you got a mother?"

He replied, "Yes." Beloved Prophet said: "Then keep near her, because Paradise is at her feet."

(Nisai,Musnad Imam Ahmad and Baihaqi)

Sayyiduna Abu Omamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that a man asked: "O Messenger of Allah! What are the rights of parents over their children?"

Our beloved master (Peace be upon him) replied, "They are your Paradise and your Hell."

(Ibn Majah )

Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:

"No obedient son look to his parents with a look of kindness but Allah does not write for them one accepted pilgrimage for every look." They enquired, "And if he looks hundred times every day?" He said, "Yes, Allah is most Great and most Beneficent."

(Baihaqi)

Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:

"Almighty Allah may pardon all sins He pleases except disobedience to parents; and He hastens (punishment) in this life before death for one who commits it."

(Baihaqi)