Reminder Series

The Pearls of Islam

8th March 2010 1 Rabi Al-Akhar 1431 Volume 2 Issue 9

Rights of the Elders - Part Two

Rights of Parents: Among all the elders of a man, the rights of his parents enjoy the most distinguished place. The Bible and Torah, require that parents should be respected. In addition, the Quran provides detailed instructions in the matter. In Islam duties towards parents rank only next to duties towards Allah. This fact is abundantly clear from the following Quranic Verse in which commandments about worshipping Allah have been immediately followed by emphasis on showing kindness to parents. It says: Your Lord has decreed that you should worship none but Him, and show kindness to your parents... (17:23) Duties towards Parents: Duties towards parents consist of maintaining them, giving them gifts, speaking to them gently, and taking their permission before going abroad. Even the difference of faith and religion doesnt absolve the progenies from their duties towards parents. These duties are the natural corollary of the back-breaking, unrequited struggle that the parents have to undergo in bringing up their children. Whereas Allah is the real Creator of the world and whatever rests in it, parents are the immediate cause of a mans birth. They bear all sorts of hardship and sacrifice their own comforts for the sake of their children providing them with: food, clothing, education, medical-care, good manners, and finally marrying them off with utmost care and diligence. But for the sincere and selfless efforts of the parents in bringing up their children, life for the latter would be simply impossible, let alone a well-placed position in society. Hence, great rewards have been promised for those who perform their duties towards parents in a befitting manner. There are only three things in the world just a loving sight of which begets Allahs pleasure to a true believer, viz.: The Holy Kabah, the Holy Quran and parents. In the words of Prophet Muhammad (SAW): No dutiful man gives his parents a kind look without Allah recording to his credit an approved pilgrimage for every look. Gratitude: Gratitude towards Allah and towards parents has been urged in the Holy Quran side by side. It says: ... thank Me as well as your parents... (31:14) Maltreatment of parents has on the other hand been deplored severely. See Chapter Al-Ahqaf, Verses 17-18). The Holy Prophet (SAW) cautions: The 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. No Muslim is allowed to join the battlefield without parents permission. Once a companion of the Prophet (SAW) came to him and said: O Messenger of Allah! I intend to join holy war (Jihad) and have come to you for consultation. The Prophet (SAW) asked him: Have you got your mothers permission? The companion replied: No. At that the Holy Prophet (SAW) advised him: Then keep yourself near your mother, because Paradise is under her feet. Rights of Parents: The rights of parents dont end even after their death. Once a man of the tribe Banu Salemah came to the Holy Prophet (SAW) and asked him if there were any rights of parents after their demise. Yes, the Prophet replied and advised him to pray for them seeking forgiveness for them, to fulfill their instructions after their death, to keep affinity with those who arent connected except through parents and to respect their friends. In order to maintain peace, cordiality and fraternity in a society, Islam advocates a system of social inter-action in which juniors are loved and seniors are respected. The Holy Prophet (SAW) explained this cardinal principle of his teachings in the following immutable words: He is not with us who is not kind to our juniors and shows no respect to our elders...!