The Importance of Honoring Parents
Allah, the Almighty, commands us to show kindness and respect to our parents, whether they are alive or deceased. Honoring them is an act of obedience to Allah (Glory be to Him) and His Messenger, peace be upon him. Furthermore, it serves as a pathway to entering the gardens of bliss. By showing obedience and respect to parents, children express gratitude and repay the favor bestowed upon them, as parents are the ones who nurtured and cared for their offspring, ultimately being the reason for their existence in this world. Moreover, a child’s respect and care for their parents can lead to a similar treatment by their own children in the future; as stated in the Quran: “Is the reward for good anything but good?” (Quran 55:60).
Hadiths Regarding Parents
Evidence from the Sunnah on Honoring Parents
Numerous hadiths highlight the significance of honoring one’s parents and the merits associated with it. Below are some notable examples:
- Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “Which deeds are most beloved to Allah?” He replied: “Prayer at its appointed time.” Abdullah then asked, “What next?” The Prophet said: “Then kindness to parents.” Abdullah repeated his question, and the Prophet added: “Then jihad in the way of Allah.”
- A man approached the Prophet (peace be upon him) and asked: “O Messenger of Allah, who is most deserving of my good companionship?” The Prophet replied: “Your mother.” The man further asked: “Then who?” The Prophet again said: “Your mother.” The man continued to inquire, and each time the Prophet responded: “Your mother.” Finally, the man asked: “Then who?” The Prophet said: “Then your father.”
- It is reported that Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that a man came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) seeking permission to engage in jihad. The Prophet asked, “Are your parents alive?” When the man replied affirmatively, the Prophet instructed: “Then strive in their service.”
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “May he be humbled, may he be humbled, may he be humbled.” It was asked: “Who, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied: “He who finds his parents, one or both of them, during their old age, and does not enter Paradise.”
- A man named Juhama approached the Prophet (peace be upon him) and expressed his desire to undertake jihad for the sake of Allah and the Hereafter. The Prophet asked, “Is your mother alive?” When he confirmed it, the Prophet said: “Go back and be good to her.” The man then approached the Prophet from different angles with the same request, and each time the Prophet asked about his mother and advised him to honor her, finally saying: “Stay close to her; paradise lies beneath her feet.”
Evidence from the Quran on Honoring Parents
The Quran contains numerous verses that emphasize the importance and merit of honoring one’s parents. Some of these verses include:
- Allah says: “And [remember] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], ‘Do not worship except Allah; and to parents, do good.'” (Quran 2:83).
- Allah also says: “And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], ‘uff,’ and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.” (Quran 17:23-24).
- “And worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents, do good.” (Quran 4:36).
- Allah says: “We have enjoined upon man, [care] for his parents. But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them. To Me is your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do.” (Quran 29:8).
- Additionally, Allah states: “And We have enjoined upon man, [care] for his parents. But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them.” (Quran 31:14).