Islamic Teachings About Respecting Parents

Non-Muslim societies have set apart a lot days to celebrate special individuals in their lives such as their father and mother etc. They celebrate the father’s day, mother’s day, Memorial Day, Labor Day etc. with great enthusiasm and spirit. However, in Islam, respecting parents does not mean celebrating their presence for a single day. It means being obedient to them, listening to whatever they say and helping them in their old age. rnTeachings about Parents in the QuranrnMuslim children are required to respect and obey their parents every day. Allah says that all humans should recognize their parents and this recognition should come second only to the recognition of Allah Himself. Allah provides the description in Quran and tells how one should treat their parents. Allah says, ”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]rnAllah mentions recognition and the respect of parents eleven times in the Holy Quran. at all instances, Allah reminds the children to appreciate the love, respect and care that the parents have treated their children with. Allah also says in the Quran, ”And We have enjoined upon man goodness to parents…” [Quran 29:8 & 46:15]rnInstancesrnIn one verse, after asking the servants to worship Allah, Allah asks the individuals to be good to their parents. Allah says, ‘Do not worship except Allaah; and to parents, do good…’” [Quran 2:83]rnAllah also puts emphasis on the fact that children should treat their parents with kindness and love. rnTeachings about Treating your MotherrnAlthough Islam recognizes the status of both parents, it lays more emphasis on loving, respecting and showing gratitude to the mother. Mothers have a higher status in Islam because they suffer more during and after the birth of the child. rnOnce a man came to the Prophet (PBUH) and asked, ‘Who is most deserving of my close companionship?’ The Prophet replied, “Your mother; your mother; your mother; then your father; then the next closest to you in kinship; then the one next closest.”rnIslam forces individuals to respect and obey their parents even if the parents are non-Muslims. However, if the parents force the children to adopt non-Islamic ways, the children can disobey the. But this does not mean that the love and respect for parents can be neglected. rnIn Islam, respecting parents is a deed that is second only to praying in terms of the rewards. It is also greater than going for Jihad (fighting for the cause of Allah) and is a beloved deed. rnConclusionrnAllah has raised the rewards of those who respect and care for their parents. There are numerous teachings in the Holy Quran regarding the respect and love for the parents and it is the responsibility of all Muslims to follow those teachings.