Eman Sakina
Parents and children in Islam are bound together by mutual obligation and reciprocal arrangements. Hence Islam builds a family in which prevails mutual respect and care for both parents and children. Allah Says, “…No mother should be harmed through her child and no father through his child…” [Quran 2: 233]
Friday Musings
The Quran has made it compulsory for the child to treat his/her parents with all goodness and mercy. Every Muslim must show goodness mercy to his/her parents throughout their lives. There is only one exception to this, and that is, if the parents ask their children to associate
anything with Allah or/and to commit sins, then the children must not obey their parents. However, in all cases, the children must show love and gratitude to their parents. They must always speak to them gently and respectfully. They must try their best to make them happy, provided they do not disobey Allah in the process.
Allah says: “But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not; but behave with them in the world kindly.”[Quran 31:15]
The children must be very careful not to retaliate when their parents speak. Children should exercise tolerance and patience instead of expressing their displeasure when parents say or do anything that they don’t agree with or like.
Since the Prophet considered disobedience one of the severe sins, children must make a sincere effort to avoid doing so. A Muslim should recognize the status of the parent and know his duties towards them. The status of parents in Islam is a status that mankind had not known before. Allah Has placed respect for the parents just one step below the belief in Allah and true worship of Him.
Allah says: “And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honor. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: ‘My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I
was young’” [Quran 17: 23]
The Prophet placed kindness and respect toward parents just after the prayer is offered on time as the prayer is the the foundation of Islam.
Respecting and obeying parents is a way of showing gratitude to them because they are the ones who brought you into this world and did everything possible for the upliftment of their children. You should also show gratitude towards them for bringing you up and taking care of you when you were young. Allah says: “And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents” [Quran 31:14]
.webp "Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the President of Ramakrishna Mission Swami Gautamananda Maharaj")
