You will not fully recognize the tremendous sacrifices of your parents until you become a parent yourself!
Unfortunately, the limitless giving, the loving care and the real concern that parents offer with pleasure to their children are easily ignored nowadays.
In the fast-pace, extremely materialistic life we live, many precious values are easily forgotten. Dutifulness to parents is reduced to some presents and nice cards on certain days and occasions.
Compare this to the Islamic concept of dutifulness that extends this value even after parents pass away.
Discover more comprehensive meanings and aspects of dutifulness to parents in the following collection of the Qur’an verses and the Prophet’s hadiths.
1. A Duty Second to Tawhid
{And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment.} (Al-Israa’ 17:23)
2. Don’t Offend Your Parents
{Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], “Fie,” and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.} (Al-Israa’ 17:23)
3. Remember their Favors
{And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, “My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.”} (Al-Israa’ 17:24)
4. Kindness to Non-Muslim Parents
{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} (Luqman 31:15)
5. Special Position for Mothers
Abu Hurairah reported that a man came to the Messenger (peace be upon him) and asked:
‘O Messenger of God, who is the person who has the greatest right on me with regards to kindness and attention?’
The Prophet replied, ‘Your mother.’
– ‘Then who?’
– ‘Your mother.’
– ‘Then who?’
– ‘Your mother.’
– ‘Then who?’
-‘Your father.’
6. Dutifulness to Parents Equals Jihad
`Abdullah bin `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that a man came to the Messenger of Allah asking his permission to go out for Jihad. The Messenger of Allah asked him, “Are your parents alive?”
He replied, ‘Yes.’
The Messenger of Allah then said to him, “Then do Jihad through serving and caring for them” (Muslim)
7. Dutifulness After They Pass Away
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet said:
“When a person dies, his actions come to an end, except in one of three ways: a continuing act of charity, (sadaqah), a useful contribution to knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him .”(Muslim)
8. Do Not Be a Loser!
Abu Hurairah quoted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying: “He is doomed, he is doomed, he is doomed.”
Someone said, “Who, O Messenger of Allah?”
He answered,
“The person whose parents, one or both of them, reach old age during his lifetime but he does not enter Paradise.”(Muslim)
9. Disobedience to Parents: A Major Sin
Abu Bakra (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Should I not inform you about the gravest of the major sins?”
They replied, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.”
The Prophet said:
“Associating anyone with Allah and being undutiful to parents.” (Al-Bukhari)