Parents' rights in Islam

Parents' rights in Islam

None can deny the parents' favor upon their children.
The parents are the underlying reason for the existence of the child.
They
have reared him in his babyhood and experienced painstaking efforts to
provide full comfort and sound well-being. Your mother had you in her
womb while you were a parasite there sharing her food and whole being
for nine months.

In this context, Allah says:
"And
We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His
mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship..."
(31:14

قال تعالى: وَوَصَّيْنَا الإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ وَهْنًا عَلَى وَهْنٍ ]
لقمان الأيه 14

It is a preliminary stage followed by incubation and breast feeding for two years marked by peculiar fatigue and hardships.
The
father, on his part, is meanwhile also fully engaged catering for his
child and bringing him up, not sparing any sort of instructions or
guidance he could provide his child with; the child, meanwhile, a
helpless creature is neither harmful nor useful to himself.


Allah has always enjoined that children should be good and thankful to their parents and He says:
"And
We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His
mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship,
and his weaning is in two years - give thanks to Me and to your
parents, - unto Me is the final destination." (31:14)


قال
تعالى: وَوَصَّيْنَا الإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ وَهْنًا
عَلَى وَهْنٍ وَفِصَالُهُ فِي عَامَيْنِ أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيْكَ
إِلَيَّ الْمَصِيرُ
لقمان الايه 14


"...
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 small."
(17:23, 24)

قال
تعالى: (( وقضى ربك ألا تعبدو إلا إياه وبالوالدين إحسانا إما يبلغن عندك
الكبر احدهما او كلاهما فلا تقل لهما اف ولا تنهرهما وقل لهما قولا كريما*
واخفض لهما جناح الذل من الرحمة وقل ربي إرحمهما كما ربياني صغيرا ))

سورة الإسراء
الأيه 23 - 24


The right of parents upon you is to do good with them.
You should be good to them physically as well as monetarily, and also with your words and your actions.


You should be obedient to them unless in it there is disobedience to your Lord or there is some harm to you.

Be kindhearted to them and serve them as they need your help.

In
their old age, in case of any ailment or weakness, never consider them
a burden on you, neither speak to them harshly, because one day you
will also become as old as they are.

You
will be a father as they are your parents and, if life permits, soon
you will be an old man before your children just like your parents
became old before you.

So
you need the help of your children as your parents need you today. If
you are doing good to your parents then you must have the good news of
a great reward and a better showing from your children, because whoever
remained good to his parents, his children will also be good to him;
and whoever annoyed his parents, will also be annoyed by his children.


It is the process of recompense that deeds provide the results accordingly "as you sow, so will you reap.
Allah has ranked the rights due to the parents high next only to
His and the Prophet's, Allah says:
"Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents..." (4:36)


و إعبدوا الله و لا تشركوا به شيئا و بالوالدين إحسانا
النساء
الايه 36


And Allah also says: "...give thanks to Me and to your parents... (31:14)

أن إشكر لى و لوالديك إلى المصير
لقمان الايه 14

Being
dutiful to one's parents assumes priority even over Jihad (fight in the
cause of Allah) as is narrated in the tradition of Ibn Mas'ood when he
asked the Prophet (p.b.u.h.):
"Which
deed is most beloved by Allah?" He said, 'Observing prayer in time.'
"And next to that?" He said: 'Being dutiful to one's parents.' "And
next to that?" He answered: 'Jihad (fight in the cause of Allah).'"


عن
عبدالله بن مسعود قال سألت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أي العمل أحب إلى
الله قال: (الصلاة على وقتها قال ثم أي قال بر الوالدين قال ثم أي قال
الجهاد في سبيل الله قال حدثني بهن ولو استزدته لزادني) رواه البخاري.

This Hadith (Prophetic saying) reported by Bukhari and Muslim points directly to the significance of the rights due to one's parents.
Unfortunately,
most people have forgotten these rights, instead disobedience and
severance of ties have risen to harden the hearts, and even they
contempt and detest their parents. Some people have even deemed
themselves superior to those two old good creatures. A recompense is
sure in store for those disobedient children, sooner or later