Parents

One of the most gravest sins ever is disobedience to our parents, therefore, as difficult it may seem at times, young Muslims should take time out to help our mothers and fathers out first, before we help our friends and most certainly ourselves. In many ahadith the value of the mother is given and I will be discussing them further below. Allah has created us through our parents and we must remember that one day, most of us will too have children and become good Muslim fathers and mothers.

Parents in light of the Qur'an.

"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 honour. " Surah Isra, verse 23.

This ayah of the Qur'an shows us that with worshipping Allah, you have to be "dutiful" or help to your parents. The Qur'an then gives us a direct order on how to address them when they are old, and how much we should show respect for them once they are old. Youth and I include myself, sometimes forget the pain of parenthood and childbirth, but we cannot payback our parents for countless sleepless nights, one of the few ways we can show appreciation is through helping them when they are old and fragile.

" 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" Surah Luqmaan, verse 14

Allah poses another direct order to us and again reminds the Mu'mineen about the suffering caused by our mothers during the whole period of her looking after us. Allah then goes on to say how we should give thanks to him, but then as importantly give thanks and appreciation to the parents.

Parents in light of the Hadith

Paradise lies under the feet of your mother.
It not a coincidence that the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) said this, to think that a mother has to go through much grief during pregnancy, childbirth and tarbiyah that there must be a reward for him. Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) realised with guidance from Allah that Jannah is a place where all the hardships of the world come to an end and a life of blissful happiness begins, a place where everyone shall be rewarded by their actions, and what is more beloved by Allah then to see one creation (a mother/father) raising a child up in a good, respected and a Muslim way.

A man came to the Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship? The Prophet said: Your mother. The man said, ‘Then who?' The Prophet said: Then your mother. The man further asked, ‘Then who?' The Prophet said: Then your mother. The man asked again, ‘Then who?' The Prophet said: Then your father. (Bukhari, Muslim).

The Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) recognises that the mother is probably the single most important figurehead in a family. The importance they have of being the first teacher a child ever has, for example, teaching a child to walk, we are not born knowing how to walk, we are taught it and most of us by our mothers, that could mean everytime we do a little or major act, it is simply down to them, when you go to the fridge if it wasnt for your mother teaching you, some people would not even be able to do that. The reply of "your mother" was done three times so we must remember the importance they have in our lives and the father was too mentioned, showing we should give both parents respect and our whole hearts to them.

Let us not find ourselves in the rising culture where most youths disregard what our parents say and we should remind ourselves the rights they have over us. One day when we are mothers and fathers we dont want to be in a position that we remember how bad we treated our parents but rather how we should them love, respect and honour they fully deserve. By us being good to our parents inshaAllah we too will have children who will look after us with the same love we had.

May Allah guide us all and protect us, and help us show kindness to our parents.

Ameen