Allah swt says in the Quran(17:23-24)

"

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," 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."

And at another place (31:14)

"

And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination."

Islam has enjoined upon Muslims respect and obedience for their parents as our Rabb is ordering us to make dua for them. Parents sacrifice their time, money and energy just to raise their children so that the children can have a better future. In return they expect respect and care from their children.

Allah says in Quran(29:8)

"

And We have enjoined upon man goodness to parents…"

Prophet(pbuh) also instructed the Muslims to show affection to their parents.

Abdullah bin Masud(R.A) asked  Prophet(pbuh) "Which of the deeds are most loved by Allah?" He(pbuh) replied,"Salat at its proper time", He asked "what next?" He(pbuh) replied, "Kindness to parents", He asked "what next?", He replied, "Jihad in the way of Allah"     [Muslim]

This shows the act of kindness being mentioned with meritorious activities of Salat and Jihad. Salat is the most important pillar of Islam and kindness to parents has been mentioned next to it. This signifies the importance of enjoining kindness on parents.

Even if the parents are disbelievers (not followers of Islam), then still Muslims are ordered to be kind and respectable to them.

Asmah bint Abu Bakr(R.A) said,"My mother came to me while she was a polytheist so I asked Prophet(pbuh) "My mother, who is ill-disposed to Islam, has come to visit me, shall I maintain relations with her?" Prophet(pbuh) replied, "Yes maintain relations with your mother." [Muslim]

Even in Quran its written (31:15) "…

　accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness…"

Failure in fulfilling the rights and duties of parents is a detestable act in Islam. Prophet(pbuh) said, "May he be disgraced! May he be disgraced! May he be disgraced! Whose parents, one or both attain old age during his lifetime and he does not enter Jannah (by rendering being dutiful to them)"  [Muslim]

At another place he (pbuh) said "A parent is the best of the gates of Jannah; so if you wish, keep to the gate or lose it"  [Ibn majah]

Even after the death of parents, one has to fulfill the right of parents that is to pray for them and carry on their unfinished work. A man from Banu Salamah asked prophet(pbuh), "O messenger of Allah! Is there any obedience to parents left that I can show to them after their death?" Prophet(pbuh) replied,

"Yes, to pray for them, to supplicate for their forgiveness, to fulfill their promises after their death, to maintain ties of kinship which cannot be maintained except through them and honour their friends" [Abu Dawud]

SubhanAllah, serving the parents is a social responsibility but Islam has made this responsibility a gate way to Jannah. How fortunate we are to be Muslims. We should always remain dutiful to our parents and remember them in our prayers as well.

By : Jahanzaib Jamshed ( Alumni of LUMS)