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Children’s Rights towards the Parents
Every man and woman owes some duties towards parents. Respect and care for parents are very much stressed in the Islamic teachings and are a very important part of a Muslim’s expression of faith. The Holy Quraan says: “Your Sustainer has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life time, do not say to them a word of contempt nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour, And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility and say: My Sustainer! Bestow on them Your Mercy, even as they cherished me in childhood”. (17:23-24)
The Quraan further says: “We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents: In pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth. The carrying of the child to his weaning is (a period of) thirty months. At length, when he reaches the age of full strength and attains forty years, he says, ‘O my Lord! Grant me that I may be grateful for Your favour, which You have bestowed upon me, and upon both my parents, and that I may work righteousness such as You may approve; and be gracious to me in my issue. Truly, have I turned to You and truly do I bow (to You) in Islam’. Such are they from whom We shall accept the best of their deeds and pass by their ill deeds: (they shall be) among the companions of the Gardens; a promise of truth, which was made to them (in this life).” (46: 15-16)
But the Holy Quraan enjoins abstinence from obeying non-Muslim parents in their anti-Islamic religious beliefs and practices. It says: “We enjoined on man kindness to parents: but if they (either of them) strive (to force) thee to join with Me (in worship) anything of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not. You have (all) to return to Me, and I will tell you (the truth) of all that you did.” (29: 8)
Following are some important duties, which the sons and daughters should fulfil:
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The children should not hurt their parents in words or deeds even if the parents are a bit harsh to them.
- The children should pay utmost respect to their parents.
- The children should obey the orders of their parents in all legitimate matters.
- The children should meet the needs of their parents in cash or kind.
- If the parents take something from the belongings of their children, the latter should not be annoyed at them. On the contrary, the children should express their gratitude to their parents that they gave them the honour to serve them. The Holy Prophet of Islam (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has said: “You and all your belongings are owned by your father.”
- If the parents are no more, it is obligatory on the part of the children to invoke Almighty Allah for granting forgiveness to their father and mother. They should arrange Niyaaz for the consolation of the souls of their parents. They can also perform additional prayers and alms-offerings and hand over their reward to the souls of their parents.
- The children should treat well the friends of their parents.
- The children have the responsibility to repay the loans taken by their parents. The legitimate Will of the parents should also be implemented.
- The children should not indulge in any activity or affair that could hurt the feelings of their parents during their lifetime as well as after their passing away.
- The children should visit the graves of their parents regularly and recite Fateha and Salaam and pray for their well-being in the Hereafter. The parents will be happy over the visit of their children and the Angels will present to them the reward of the Sura Fateha in the trays of Noor.
- The children of modern age should remember that their kindness to the parents would bring to them the kindness of their own offspring in future. Good treatment to the parents guarantees abundance in food, wealth, health and happiness.
The Messenger of Allah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has also laid special stress on kind dealings with the parents. Here we quote some sayings of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam):
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Paradise is under the feet of mothers.
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The pleasure of Almighty Allah is in the pleasure of the father and the displeasure of Almighty Allah in the displeasure of the father.
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Paradise becomes unlawful for disobedient to parents.
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Obedience does not end with the death of parents. Forgiveness be sought for them, and presents and gifts sent to parents, friends and relatives. Charity is also to be given in their names.
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Children are also bound to maintain their poor parents.
The Holy Prophet of Islam (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) once went with his mother to see the grave of his father when he was barely six months old, but his mother passed away on her return journey to Makkatul Mukarrama. Once, he passed by the grave of his mother. There he halted for sometime and began to weep out of dear love for his mother.
Once the Beloved Nabi (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was seated among his companions. He at once got up at the sight of his foster mother Sayyidah Halima (radi Allahu anha) and spread his own mantle for her rest. At another time, the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) set 600 prisoners free after the Battle of Hunain. One of the reasons was that some of them came from tribe of his foster mother Sayyidah Halima (radi Allahu anha). Thus, the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) had the highest regard for his parents and foster-mothers and left ideal instructions to his followers for obeying parents.
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