We And Our Parents

Being dutiful to parents is one of the keys to enter Paradise.

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Give your parents roses while they are alive, not dead.

Once, while conversing with Almighty Allah, Prophet Musa/Moses (Peace Be Upon Him) requested: "O' Lord! I desire to meet the person, who is to be my companion in Paradise."

Jibril (Gabriel) descended and informed Prophet Musa/Moses (Peace Be Upon Him) that his companion was to be a butcher who lived in a certain place. Prophet Musa/Moses (Peace Be Upon Him) set out in search of him and arrived at his shop, when he noticed a youth, resembling a night watchman, busy selling meat.

When night fell, the youth took some meat and proceeded towards his house. Prophet Musa/Moses (Peace Be Upon Him) followed him till they reached there. Prophet Musa/Moses (Peace Be Upon Him) approached the youth and said, "Would you not like to have a guest?" The youth willingly agreed and took him inside.

Prophet Musa/Moses (Peace Be Upon Him) watched the youth preparing some food. When he had finished, he brought down a large basket from the upper storey. Bringing out an old and wizened woman from inside it, he washed her and then proceeded to feed her with his own hands. When the youth was about to carry the basket back to its original place, Prophet Musa/Moses (Peace Be Upon Him) noticed the old woman's lips move as she mumbled something incomprehensible.

The youth then brought food for Prophet Musa/Moses (Peace Be Upon Him) and both of them ate their dinner. Prophet Musa / Moses (Peace Be Upon Him) inquired, "What is your relation with this old woman?"

The youth replied, "She is my mother and since my financial state does not allow me to purchase a slave-girl for her, I myself strive to serve and look after her."

Prophet Musa/Moses (Peace Be Upon Him) questioned further, "What did your mother mumble before you took her upstairs?"

The youth responded, "Whenever I wash her and feed her, my mother prays: May Allah forgive you and place you in the company and in the rank of Prophet Musa/Moses (Peace Be Upon Him) in Paradise."

Hearing this, Prophet Musa/Moses (Peace Be Upon Him) said, "O' Youth! I give you glad tidings; Allah has accepted your Muslim Mother's Prayers and Angel Jibril (Gabriel) has informed me that you shall be my companion in Paradise!"

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Sadly we are living in a time where children speaking disrespectfully to their parents and about their parents.

Islam has greatly emphasized the issue of loving and respecting the parents, the father and the mother. In our infancy and childhood, we needed the protection, love and nurturing of the parents; but when they become old, they need us to protect them and take care of them.

Parents give us unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life. Parents being having reached old age needs more service and care. We must not ignore their the rights and needs. When we were weak and in need our parents did hard work in nourishing and rearing us. They have given numerous sacrifices for our comfort and welfare. They were the main source of our safety from many difficulties.

Allah Almighty has mentioned we must sincerely ponder over the many hardships, which were taken by our parents for our comfort. In their old age it's our obligation to take good care of them and never let them lonely. If we keep our parents happy with us then Allah shall be happy with us.

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Disobedience to parents is a major sin.

In Islam it is obligatory for us to show kindness, respect, and obedience to our parents:

"And your Lord Commanded that worship not any else excepts Him and does good to parents. If either or both of them reach old age before you, utter not even a faint cry to them and chide them not and speak to them the word of respect."
"And spread for them the arm of humility with tender heart and say, 'O my Lord; have mercy on these both as they both brought me up in my childhood." Surah Israel : Ayat 23-24

Abu Huraira reported Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) as saying: "Let him be humbled into dust; let him be humbled into dust. It was said: God's Messenger, who is he? He said: He who sees either of his parents during their old age or he sees both of them, but he does not enter Paradise (because he has been undutiful to them)." (Muslim)

Respect To Parents:

Talk to them politly in low voice.

Fulfill their needs and rights.

Thank them and pray for them.

Do not interped when they are speaking.

Never insult them and augue with them rudly.

Do not displease them or make them angry.

Do not hurt them and respect them even if they are not Muslims.

We must honour our parents, appreciate their sacrifices and efforts for us, and do our best for them. This is required regardless of whether they are Muslims or not.