It is an undeniable fact that parents are the most worthy of immense respect and honour. They are one of the most important gifts of Allah the Almighty for every one. Let alone scolding or beating them, even there is no room to say a word of “Fie” (Uff) to them. It is therefore Allah the Almighty has commanded the people to obey them forever. The obedient offspring should lower on them the arms of humility and humbleness and show kindness to them. The Holy Qur’an at numerous places vigorously asserts their significance and nobility. It instructs the people to obey them, just following the order of worshiping Allah alone. The Supreme Lord says in the Holy Qur’an about the parents: “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 advice them in terms of honour.” And lower on 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.” (Surah Al-Isra: 23-24) Describing their privileges the beloved Prophet (SAWS) says: “The Paradise lies under the feet of mother and father is the door of Paradise.” (Tirmidhi)
The luckiest one, therefore, is he who is blessed with the presence of the parents and has also been favoured with their services. Parents’ status is very high in the light of the Holly Qur’an and the Holy Hadith as they describe their various virtues and significant standing at numerous places, as I have quoted some of them in the above-mentioned lines.
However, today tragedy is that a good number of people don’t try to understand the significance of parents and more ironically prefer others to them. They don’t show respect and compassion to them as much as they deserve. They don’t hold high opinions regarding them. Such kind of people will incur severe punishments in the world and Hereafter as the Holy Prophet (SAWS) said regarding those who don’t obey their parents:
“May his nose be rubbed in dust, may his nose be rubbed in dust, may his nose be rubbed in dust, (May he be humiliated) (He said this thrice), who found his parents, one or both, approaching Old Age, but didn’t enter Paradise (Jannah), (by serving them)”. (Sahih Muslim) Another Hdith talks about the similar message, “Once, Hazrat Jibrael (AS) appeared before the Holy Prophet (SAWS) and said, “Woe to the person in whose presence both parents or one of them approaching old age and he fails to serve them, he will not be allowed to enter the Paradise.” The holy prophet (SAWS) said upon that, “Ameen.” (Sahih Bukhari)
Shariah has stated that it is compulsory for every one to obey his parents in every permissible action and to be dutiful to them. One should ever be respectful to one’s parents. There is not a slightest room to show disgrace to them even if they are non-Muslims. In our time, undoubtedly, most of us have forgotten our duties with regard to our parents. In fact we have forgotten the purpose of our creation in this world. We must commit to our memory that the sole purpose of our creation is to comply with the commandments of Allah. Allah, the Almighty has emphasised at several places in the Holy Qur’an to behave well and show high respect to them. It is forbidden using harsh word for them and not permissible rebuking even. We should serve our parents as the Holy Prophet (SAWS) has commanded and his companions practised. The companions of the Prophet (SAWS) did not avail of such facilities as we have today due to the advanced age. Their age was not as developed as it is today. They did not have such means of comforts and luxuries, as we have these days to serve our parents.
Woe to those who don’t take proper care of their parents who have brought them up, sacrificed each and every kind of comfort for the sake of their children and spent the whole life in their concern. It is shocking the system of “Old Age House” in western countries has become the part of their modern civilisation where the parents yearn for their beloved offspring to have a glance and after all breathe their last. And alas! Now it is taking root in Muslim countries like Pakistan as well. Parents are shifted there when they are in the crying need to be looked after properly. We should ponder over the parents’ status with a cool mind. Love and affection of parents for their offspring is always genuine. They do not love for anything in return. It is always observed when someone comes back home from a journey, his wife, children and others get delighted and happy to see the baggage and the articles, but it is the parents who become joyous and glad only to glance at the son returning successfully. We must recall all the time our infancy and their innumerable blessings. It should always be our endeavour to be an ever-respectful son.
It is a well-known, heart touching and thought provoking occurrence of Hazrat Owais Qarani (RA), a very renowned spiritual personality of Islam. He was alive and breathing in the age of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWS). If he had met the Holy Prophet (SAWS), he would have been ranked as the companion of the Prophet (SAWS) and being the companion would have been a great privilege for him. But he could not meet him (SAWS) only because of rendering services and providing all comforts to his beloved mother. It is a high-quality example and a lesson to learn for one and all regarding mother in particular and parents in general, as he preferred his mother’s comforts to availing himself of the opportunity and chance of being companion of the Prophet (SAWS).
When we take care of our parents it will be useful for us in the world and hereafter. We will be respected and valued, or else we shall be hated and cursed. Showing great respect to the parents is a key to please Allah, the Almighty, and to acquire paradise, as the Holy Prophet (SAWS) says, “Allah’s pleasure lies in the pleasure of father (parents) and Allah’s displeasure lies in the displeasure of father.” (Tirmidhi) May Allah enable us to serve our parents! ***