In Islam, respect for parents is of paramount importance. The Qur'an and Hadith (sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him) repeatedly emphasize the significance of honoring one's parents. The respect and love for parents are regarded as one of the highest virtues in Islam, which leads to Allah’s pleasure, reward in the Hereafter, and blessings in this world.
1. Respecting Parents in the Qur’an
The Qur'an, as the divine word of Allah, emphasizes the importance of treating parents with kindness, compassion, and respect. The respect for parents is not only an ethical principle but also an act of worship.
a. The Commandment in Surah Luqman
In Surah Luqman (31:14), Allah reminds us of the immense sacrifice parents make for their children and emphasizes gratitude towards them:
"And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him with hardship upon hardship, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination." (Qur’an 31:14)
This verse acknowledges the immense difficulty that a mother experiences during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. It then instructs children to be grateful not only to Allah but also to their parents, highlighting the importance of parental respect and care.
b. The Importance of Kindness to Parents in Surah Al-Ahqaf
In Surah Al-Ahqaf (46:15), Allah again stresses the significance of being good to one’s parents, particularly when they are old and frail:
"And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him with hardship upon hardship, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination." (Qur’an 46:15)
This verse speaks of the emotional and physical challenges faced by parents, particularly mothers, when raising their children. Allah commands children to be humble and respectful, particularly when their parents reach old age. It highlights that the respect and kindness shown to parents are directly linked to one's success in the Hereafter.
2. Respecting Parents in the Hadith
The Hadith literature, which includes the sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), also underscores the importance of respecting parents. Numerous Hadiths illustrate how vital it is to honor and serve one's parents, as doing so brings immense rewards both in this life and the Hereafter.
a. Hadith on Serving Parents
One of the most famous Hadiths on the subject of parents comes from Sahih Muslim, in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"A man came to the Prophet and asked, 'O Messenger of Allah, I want to go out and fight in the path of Allah, but my mother is old and frail. What should I do?' The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, 'If you want to attain the reward of Jihad (struggle), serve your mother with kindness. Her frailty has made her your gateway to Paradise.'" (Sahih Muslim)
This Hadith illustrates that even though going out to fight in the cause of Allah is a noble act, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the greater value of serving one's mother, especially in her old age. Serving parents, particularly in their need, leads to great rewards, including entry into Paradise.
b. The Status of Parents in Islam
In another narration from Sahih Bukhari, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
"The pleasure of Allah is in the pleasure of the father, and the anger of Allah is in the anger of the father." (Sahih Bukhari)
This Hadith teaches that the pleasure and anger of parents are directly linked to Allah’s pleasure and anger. A child should always strive to make their parents happy because making them happy pleases Allah, and angering them angers Allah.
c. The Importance of Respecting Both Parents
It is important to note that Islam places equal importance on respecting both the father and the mother. Although the mother has been given a higher status due to the difficulties she faces in childbirth and child-rearing, the father’s rights are equally significant. The Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized this in the following Hadith:
"A man came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and asked, 'O Messenger of Allah, I want to do good deeds, and I want to be close to Allah, but my parents have passed away.' The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, 'You can still honor your parents by praying for them, asking for forgiveness for them, and fulfilling their promises.'" (Sahih Bukhari)
This narration emphasizes that even after a parent’s death, one can continue to honor them by praying for them and fulfilling any promises they made.
3. The Role of Parents in Islam
Islam acknowledges that parents hold a special status in society. They are regarded as the primary educators and caretakers of their children. Their sacrifices, both emotional and physical, are deeply appreciated and rewarded by Allah. The respect for parents is closely linked to the respect for authority in Islam and is an essential component of a Muslim’s character.
a. Parents as the Source of Mercy and Compassion
In the Qur'an, Allah has described the role of parents as being a source of mercy and compassion. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also praised the qualities of parents who bring their children up with love, care, and respect. It is said in the Qur'an:
"And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him with hardship upon hardship, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination." (Qur’an 31:14)
It is evident that parents play a central role in the upbringing and development of their children, and their contributions should be valued and respected accordingly.
4. The Rewards of Honoring Parents
Honoring parents in Islam is a means of attaining both success in this life and the Hereafter. Allah promises numerous rewards to those who treat their parents with kindness, respect, and gratitude. The Qur'an and Hadith emphasize that honoring parents leads to Allah’s pleasure and blessings.
a. The Reward of Paradise
It is narrated in Sahih Bukhari that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
"A man came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, I want to go on a journey and fight in the way of Allah, but my mother is old and frail. What should I do?' The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, 'Serve her and you will have Paradise.'" (Sahih Bukhari)
This Hadith indicates that serving and honoring one’s mother leads to a reward as great as Paradise. It shows the immense value Islam places on the respect and service of parents.
b. The Key to Allah’s Pleasure
Respecting and honoring one’s parents is closely linked to Allah’s pleasure. In one Hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"The pleasure of Allah lies in the pleasure of the father, and the anger of Allah lies in the anger of the father." (Sahih Bukhari)
This Hadith highlights that showing respect and love towards one's father is a means of earning Allah’s pleasure, which is the ultimate goal of every Muslim.
Conclusion
Respecting and honoring parents is one of the most fundamental principles in Islam. Both the Qur'an and Hadith stress the importance of showing kindness, love, and care to parents, recognizing their sacrifices and the immense role they play in our lives. Islam teaches that the act of honoring parents is an act of worship and brings immense rewards, including Allah’s pleasure, Paradise, and success in both this world and the Hereafter. Muslims are encouraged to continually show gratitude, love, and respect to their parents, even in their old age, and to seek forgiveness for them if they have passed away. Truly, respecting parents is a means to attain Allah’s blessings and to lead a righteous and prosperous life.
