There are many days set aside in non-Islamic societies to honour and appreciate special people; examples of these are Father's Day, Mother's Day, Memorial Day and Labour Day. In Islam, however, respecting, honouring and appreciating parents is not just for a single day of the year, but rather for each and every day.

1. Parents in the Quran:

A Muslim child should respect and appreciate his or her parents on a daily basis. Allaah mentions that human beings must recognise their parents and that this is second only to the recognition of Allaah Himself. Throughout the Quran, we notice that parents are mentioned with appreciation and respect, even if they are senile. In the Quran, there is a very beautiful description of how parents are to be treated; Allaah Says (what means):"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]

The recognition and respect of parents is mentioned in the Quran eleven times; in every instance, Allaah reminds children to recognise and to appreciate the love and care that they have received from their parents. One such example is when Allaah says what means:"And We have enjoined upon man goodness to parents…" [Quran 29:8 & 46:15]

1. The demand for recognising parents is made more emphatic when Allaah Says (what means):"And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them]: 'Do not worship except Allaah; and to parents, do good…'"[Quran 2:83]

1. Allaah again emphasises in chapter An-Nisaa' that children should be kind to their parents. He says what means:"Worship Allaah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good..."[Quran 4:36]

1. In Chapter Al-An'aam, Allaah reemphasises that people should be kind to their parents; He says what means:"Say: 'Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited to you. [He commands] that younot associate anything with Him, and to parents, good treatment...'"[Quran 6:151]
2. Mothers:

Although Islam recognises both parents, mothers are given particular gratitude and respect. This can be appreciated if we reflect upon the hardships and suffering that mothers experience in their lives. In this regard, there is a Hadeeth of the Prophet:It was narrated by Abu Hurayrahthat a man came to the Prophetand asked him: 'Who is most deserving of my close companionship?' Hereplied: “Your mother; your mother; your mother; then your father; then the next closest to you in kinship; then the one next closest.”

Islam has endorsed respect for parents by their children, even if the parents are non-Muslims. If parents strive to convert their children to non-Islamic beliefs, the children should not obey them, but must still maintain goodness towards them. In this regard, Allaah says what means:"And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is two years. Be grateful to Me and your parents; to Me is the [final] destination. But if they endeavour to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness and follow the way of those who turn back to Me [in repentance]. Then to Me will be your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do."[Quran 31:14-15]

1. More Respect:

Islam teaches us that of the most beloved deeds to Allaah, having respect for one's parents is second only to that of prayer and is greater than that of Jihaad (fighting in His cause). In this respect, Abu 'Abdur-Rahmaan 'Abdullaah Ibn Mas’oodnarrated the following:"I asked the Prophet: 'Which deed is the most beloved to Allaah?' Hereplied: "Prayers performed on time." I then asked: 'Which one is next?' He replied: "Goodness to parents." I then asked: 'Which is next?' He replied: "Jihaad in the path of Allaah.""

In Islam, respect for parents is so great that the child and his wealth are considered to be the property of the parents: `Aa’ishahnarrated that a man came to the Prophetin order to resolve a dispute that he had with his father regarding a loan he had given him. The Prophetsaid to the man:"You and your wealth are to (i.e., the property of) your father."

1. Final Remarks:

We hope and pray that all of us will respect our parents while they are alive and after their death. One can honour his parents after their death through the following methods:

1. Performing daily Du'aa' (supplication) for them.
2. Giving charity on their behalf.
3. Instituting a perpetual charity on their behalf, such as a mosque, an Islamic Centre, an Islamic library, an Islamic hospital, an orphanage, etc.
4. Performing Hajj on their behalf, or asking someone to do so.
5. Distributing Islamic literature on their behalf.

Let us pray to Allaah that we do our best to respect our parents, honour them, be kind to them, assist them, and please them so that we may attain the love of Allaah.

O Allaah! Accept our humble prayers and make us obedient slaves to You.

O Allaah! Help us to be respectful children to our parents. Aameen.

By: Dr Ahmad H. Sakr (Site IslamWeb)

1. In Chapter Al-An'aam, Allaah reemphasises that people should be kind to their parents; He says what means:"Say: 'Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited to you. [He commands] that younot associate anything with Him, and to parents, good treatment...'"[Quran 6:151]
2. Mothers:

Although Islam recognises both parents, mothers are given particular gratitude and respect. This can be appreciated if we reflect upon the hardships and suffering that mothers experience in their lives. In this regard, there is a Hadeeth of the Prophet:It was narrated by Abu Hurayrahthat a man came to the Prophetand asked him: 'Who is most deserving of my close companionship?' Hereplied: “Your mother; your mother; your mother; then your father; then the next closest to you in kinship; then the one next closest.”

Islam has endorsed respect for parents by their children, even if the parents are non-Muslims. If parents strive to convert their children to non-Islamic beliefs, the children should not obey them, but must still maintain goodness towards them. In this regard, Allaah says what means:"And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is two years. Be grateful to Me and your parents; to Me is the [final] destination. But if they endeavour to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness and follow the way of those who turn back to Me [in repentance]. Then to Me will be your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do."[Quran 31:14-15]

1. More Respect:

Islam teaches us that of the most beloved deeds to Allaah, having respect for one's parents is second only to that of prayer and is greater than that of Jihaad (fighting in His cause). In this respect, Abu 'Abdur-Rahmaan 'Abdullaah Ibn Mas’oodnarrated the following:"I asked the Prophet: 'Which deed is the most beloved to Allaah?' Hereplied: "Prayers performed on time." I then asked: 'Which one is next?' He replied: "Goodness to parents." I then asked: 'Which is next?' He replied: "Jihaad in the path of Allaah.""

In Islam, respect for parents is so great that the child and his wealth are considered to be the property of the parents: `Aa’ishahnarrated that a man came to the Prophetin order to resolve a dispute that he had with his father regarding a loan he had given him. The Prophetsaid to the man:"You and your wealth are to (i.e., the property of) your father."

1. Final Remarks:

We hope and pray that all of us will respect our parents while they are alive and after their death. One can honour his parents after their death through the following methods:

1. Performing daily Du'aa' (supplication) for them.
2. Giving charity on their behalf.
3. Instituting a perpetual charity on their behalf, such as a mosque, an Islamic Centre, an Islamic library, an Islamic hospital, an orphanage, etc.
4. Performing Hajj on their behalf, or asking someone to do so.
5. Distributing Islamic literature on their behalf.

Let us pray to Allaah that we do our best to respect our parents, honour them, be kind to them, assist them, and please them so that we may attain the love of Allaah.

O Allaah! Accept our humble prayers and make us obedient slaves to You.

O Allaah! Help us to be respectful children to our parents. Aameen.

By: Dr Ahmad H. Sakr (Site IslamWeb)

Our dear parents ! These respectful and noble people who actually represent our whole life in this world. These spawners who are at the origin of all our good, of all our existence, and thanks to whom, is realised all the happiness and the well-being which our Lord grants us in this lower world.
 
 

They are the light and the lighthouse that illuminate our path in this life. All of our Lord's mercy rests on the respect, attention, submission and blind obedience we must give them, especially during their old age. This great period of weakness, sensitivity, susceptibility, disability and illness.
 

This period of physical weakness and in some cases even psychic. This last phase of their lives, where they have the greatest need of us their children, we must prove to them, in return all our respect and love possible.  As respectful as we are to our parents, we will never be able to "pay" our debts to them.
 
 

It is probably for this reason that God recommends us, after their death, to pray always to the Lord to cover them with his broad Mercy. In front of their "return of age", this very sensitive phase of life, they are considered for us, in a way, as "young children". We must therefore qualify them as such, whatever their social condition.
 

With money, however, we can afford all the possible benefits in this life, but never a sincere love, let alone feelings and respect that children can feel towards their parents. These great people today represent our parents, Tomorrow we will be parents for our children.
 

So let's start sowing today, to better harvest tomorrow ...! In a sense, all this experience and this great notion is in fact only a test that God has decided to test our great faith in him, and allow our descendants one day, to do as much for us.
 
 
 

May God make us and all our descendants a noble lineage that will continue until the end of time. Respect for parents is a fundamental concept in Islam. It is on this notion that the stability of the whole society rests.
 
 

Several verses in the Holy Quran refer to the type of relationship that children must have with their parents in the family unit:
 
 

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.( the Holy Quran).
 
 
 

I pray God to forgive all our parents, dead or alive, and to cover them with His Indulgence and to grant them His infinite Mercy, Amin.
 
 

1. Introduction:

There are many days set aside in non-Islamic societies to honour and appreciate special people; examples of these are Father's Day, Mother's Day, Memorial Day and Labour Day. In Islam, however, respecting, honouring and appreciating parents is not just for a single day of the year, but rather for each and every day.

1. Parents in the Quran:

A Muslim child should respect and appreciate his or her parents on a daily basis. Allaah mentions that human beings must recognise their parents and that this is second only to the recognition of Allaah Himself. Throughout the Quran, we notice that parents are mentioned with appreciation and respect, even if they are senile. In the Quran, there is a very beautiful description of how parents are to be treated; Allaah Says (what means):"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]

The recognition and respect of parents is mentioned in the Quran eleven times; in every instance, Allaah reminds children to recognise and to appreciate the love and care that they have received from their parents. One such example is when Allaah says what means:"And We have enjoined upon man goodness to parents…" [Quran 29:8 & 46:15]

1. The demand for recognising parents is made more emphatic when Allaah Says (what means):"And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them]: 'Do not worship except Allaah; and to parents, do good…'"[Quran 2:83]

1. Allaah again emphasises in chapter An-Nisaa' that children should be kind to their parents. He says what means:"Worship Allaah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good..."[Quran 4:36]

1. In Chapter Al-An'aam, Allaah reemphasises that people should be kind to their parents; He says what means:"Say: 'Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited to you. [He commands] that younot associate anything with Him, and to parents, good treatment...'"[Quran 6:151]
2. Mothers:

Although Islam recognises both parents, mothers are given particular gratitude and respect. This can be appreciated if we reflect upon the hardships and suffering that mothers experience in their lives. In this regard, there is a Hadeeth of the Prophet:It was narrated by Abu Hurayrahthat a man came to the Prophetand asked him: 'Who is most deserving of my close companionship?' Hereplied: “Your mother; your mother; your mother; then your father; then the next closest to you in kinship; then the one next closest.”

Islam has endorsed respect for parents by their children, even if the parents are non-Muslims. If parents strive to convert their children to non-Islamic beliefs, the children should not obey them, but must still maintain goodness towards them. In this regard, Allaah says what means:"And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is two years. Be grateful to Me and your parents; to Me is the [final] destination. But if they endeavour to make you associate with Me that of which youhave no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness and follow the way of those who turn back to Me [in repentance]. Then to Me will be your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do."[Quran 31:14-15]

1. More Respect:

Islam teaches us that of the most beloved deeds to Allaah, having respect for one's parents is second only to that of prayer and is greater than that of Jihaad (fighting in His cause). In this respect, Abu 'Abdur-Rahmaan 'Abdullaah Ibn Mas’oodnarrated the following:"I asked the Prophet: 'Which deed is the most beloved to Allaah?' Hereplied: "Prayers performed on time." I then asked: 'Which one is next?' He replied: "Goodness to parents." I then asked: 'Which is next?' He replied: "Jihaad in the path of Allaah.""

In Islam, respect for parents is so great that the child and his wealth are considered to be the property of the parents: `Aa’ishahnarrated that a man came to the Prophetin order to resolve a dispute that he had with his father regarding a loan he had given him. The Prophetsaid to the man:"You and your wealth are to (i.e., the property of) your father."

1. Final Remarks:

*We hope and pray that all of us will respect our parents while they are alive and after their death. One can honour his parents after their death through the following methods:

1. Performing daily Du'aa' (supplication) for them.
2. Giving charity on their behalf.
3. Instituting a perpetual charity on their behalf, such as a mosque, an Islamic Centre, an Islamic library, an Islamic hospital, an orphanage, etc.
4. Performing Hajj on their behalf, or asking someone to do so.
5. Distributing Islamic literature on their behalf.

Let us pray to Allaah that we do our best to respect our parents, honour them, be kind to them, assist them, and please them so that we may attain the love of Allaah.

O Allaah! Accept our humble prayers and make us obedient slaves to You.

O Allaah! Help us to be respectful children to our parents. Aameen.

By: Dr Ahmad H. Sakr (Site IslamWeb)

Our noble parents are unfortunately for the majority more among us, they live from now on in another world, another Universe that we the living still do not know.
 

Where they are today, they know the whole truth that escaped them in their lifetime and all that Allah (Exalted be He) promised us down here, in good or in bad. Only, they are no longer entitled to any work as minimal as it is.
 

However, and by the infinite goodness of Allah (swt) even after their disappearance, we are in a sense always "united", the parental bond is not, so to speak, broken. By our minds, they are always among us. Even dead, they rely on us, their own children, they expect the best from us. By his infinite goodness Allah (swt), do not forget them and do not abandon them to their sad fate, better yet, He recommends us to their children, to implore and pray in their memories. Our pious prayers and all our good works on earth are an incomparable blessing and blessing for our deceased parents, for they relieve their souls, erase most of their sins, and even mitigate punishment in their grave. This fervor reaches them in the blink of an eye, the Angels transmit them to them on silver plates.
 



We must therefore persist in the accomplishment of this impetus of piety and devotion towards our deceased parents and as long as we live, if we really want our parents to be proud of us, even in their graves, and to assure them in this way and with the grace of God, a rest and a permanent peace in the beyond, and especially so that our children tomorrow, return the favor, because we know it well, the retribution is fruit of the work. This great privilege, this ultimate providential favor, was granted only to Muslims and believers who died in the faith of Allah (swt).
 

The Mercy of Allah (swt) is really as wide as heaven and earth. on the contrary, He purifies believers and Muslims, He absolves their sins even after leaving this world. Woe to those who doubt God, his goodness and do not believe in his infinite Clemency.
 





Auteur : Mokhtar Reguieg (Translated from French)
 

 
 

 
 
 
Our dear parents ! These respectful and noble people who actually represent our whole life in this world. These spawners who are at the origin of all our good, of all our existence, and thanks to whom, is realised all the happiness and the well-being which our Lord grants us in this lower world.
 
 
They are the light and the lighthouse that illuminate our path in this life. All of our Lord's mercy rests on the respect, attention, submission and blind obedience we must give them, especially during their old age. This great period of weakness, sensitivity, susceptibility, disability and illness.
 
 

This period of physical weakness and in some cases even psychic. This last phase of their lives, where they have the greatest need of us their children, we must prove to them, in return all our respect and love possible.  As respectful as we are to our parents, we will never be able to "pay" our debts to them.
 
 
It is probably for this reason that God recommends us, after their death, to pray always to the Lord to cover them with his broad Mercy. In front of their "return of age", this very sensitive phase of life, they are considered for us, in a way, as "young children". We must therefore qualify them as such, whatever their social condition.
 

With money, however, we can afford all the possible benefits in this life, but never a sincere love, let alone feelings and respect that children can feel towards their parents. These great people today represent our parents, Tomorrow we will be parents for our children.
 

So let's start sowing today, to better harvest tomorrow ...! In a sense, all this experience and this great notion is in fact only a test that God has decided to test our great faith in him, and allow our descendants one day, to do as much for us.
 
 
 
May God make us and all our descendants a noble lineage that will continue until the end of time. Respect for parents is a fundamental concept in Islam. It is on this notion that the stability of the whole society rests.
 
 
Several verses in the Holy Quran refer to the type of relationship that children must have with their parents in the family unit:
 
 
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.( the Holy Quran).
 
 
 
I pray God to forgive all our parents, dead or alive, and to cover them with His Indulgence and to grant them His infinite Mercy, Amin.
 
 
Source: Mokhtar Reguieg (translated from French).