How to Respect Your Parents
How to respect your parents? There are many days set aside in non-Islamic societies to honour and appreciate special people; examples of these are Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and Labour Day. In Islam, however, respecting, honouring and appreciating parents is not just for a single day of the year, but rather for each and every day. Parents in the Quran: A Muslim child should respect and appreciate his or her parents on a daily basis. Allaah mentions that human beings must recognise their parents and that this is second only to the recognition of Allaah Himself.
Throughout the Quran, we notice that parents are mentioned with appreciation and respect. In the Quran, there is a very beautiful description of how parents are to be treated; Allaah Says (what means): “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’ [i. e. , an expression of irritation or disapproval] and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. 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. ‘” [Quran 17:23-24] The recognition and respect of parents is mentioned in the Quran eleven times; in every instance, Allaah reminds children to recognise and to appreciate the love and care that they have received from their parents. One such example is when Allaah says what means: “And We have enjoined upon man goodness to parents…” [Quran 29:8 & 46:15] 3. In Chapter Al-An’aam, Allaah reemphasises that people should be kind to their parents; He says what means: “Say: ‘Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited to you. He commands] that you not associate anything with Him, and to parents, good treatment… ‘” [Quran 6:151] Mother First Among parents, it is usually the mother who makes the most sacrifice and endures the most hardship in the care of her children. She gives birth and looks after them. Islam recognizes this fact, offering more honor to the mother as a parent. Muhammad once said, “Paradise is placed at the mothers’ feet,” so high is their status and regard. The Qur’an reminds people of the sacrifices and hardships that mothers face on behalf of their children. “And e enjoined upon mankind concerning parents: his mother carried him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is two years. Therefore show gratitude to Allah and to your parents” (Qur’an 31:14). On another occasion, some people asked the Prophet Muhammad, “To whom should we show kindness first? ” He answered, “Your mother. ” Then he was asked again, “And after that, then whom? ” Muhammad again replied, “Your mother. ” He was asked yet again, and he gave the same reply again: “Your mother. ” Only after that, when he was asked one more time, did he answer, “Then, your father. Duties to Parents Our life would not be possible without the sacrifice and hard work of our parents, who cared for us and met all our needs when we were young. The Qur’an addresses this point in one touching verse: “And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents. If one or both of them attain old age during your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor repel them. But address them in terms of honour, and lower to them the wing of humility, out of mercy, and say, ‘My Lord!
Bestow on them Your Mercy, as they did bring me up when I was young’” (Qur’an 17:23–24). Muslims are advised to treat their parents gently and respectfully. They should always strive to please them and never become impatient or rude with them. Muslims consider it an honour and a blessing to be able to care for their parents in old age. After all, it’s the least we can do to repay them for all of their hard work and sacrifice. Nursing homes and hospice care are new phenomena in the Muslim world, and they are not widely accepted.
Elderly and ill family members almost always remain in the homes of children or relatives, cared for and respected until death. Muhammad encouraged his followers to treat their parents well and to be mindful of their needs. Once, a young man came to him and wanted to join the Muslim army on the battlefield to defend the community from attack. Muhammad asked him if his parents were living. When the young man said they were, he told him: “Then go back to your parents, serve them, and deal with them kindly.
This is as good as fighting for God’s sake. ” Muslims consider their parents’ opinions about important matters, such as , spouse, or place to live. As a Muslim gets older, any income she earns is partially used to support her parents and meet their needs. A Muslim prays that after their deaths, God will forgive her parents and show mercy toward them. Also, you should always listen and obey to the commands that your parents have told you to do. Always take care of them afterall to have them is a big gift.
