No sane person would deny the rights of the parents unto their own children. The parents are indeed the very reason for the existence of their child. Parents are entitled to great rights by their children in accordance to Islām and all other sounds principles as well.

Parents raise their children and care for them through their childhood. Both suffer a lot for the comfort, pleasure, happiness, health and satisfaction of their children. They wake up and stayed awake, in order for their child to sleep. They suffer all kinds of headache, fatigue, and tiredness for the contentment of their child, particularly while they are infants.

A mother carries the child in her womb for nine months in most normal pregnancies. She gives her foetus from her own food and sustenance bearing all the biological, chemical, and physical changes with which she is burdened with a pleasant feeling, high hopes and beautiful expectation of her beloved baby. All these difficulties encountered by a mother, although causing her fatigue, weakness end many other problems, are not but pleasure to most normal pregnant mothers who are in love with their child in their wombs. Allāh, the Almighty stated in the glorious Qur’ān:

"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." (Al- Qur'ān, 31:14)

Later in the life of the child, his mother nurses the child regardless of how tiring this process is, how demanding it may be, but still mothers sacrifice all for their beloved babies.

It is for that very reason along with many others illustrated later that Allāh constituted this immense right on man towards his parents. The sacrifices of mothers mainly are most distinct, unique and an act that stands on its own merits. Fathers nevertheless are also next in importance, for the child is at an early stage of its life when such child cannot fend for or earn for himself. Mothers however carry on their emotions, caring feelings, loving and concern about their own children for much longer periods in life. For that reason, Allāh the Almighty, stated in the glorious Qur’ān:

"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., any expression of disapproval or irritation) 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'." [17:23-24]

The most essential right of parents unto their children is to be most kind, helpful, respectful, caring, mindful, gentle and keen to them. A child must exert every effort, financial ability and physical abilities to be kind, good, helpful, protective and serving to them at any given time of their life. A child must at any given time in his life obey their commands and follow their requests and instructions, as long as such instructions and commands do not contradict, conflict with or disrespect the command of Allāh, or cause the child any physical or mental harm.

A child must be kind in words, treatment and actions to his parents. It is a right of the parents on their children to be pleasant in their presence and serve them with pleasure and without any complaints, hidden or apparent. It is their due right to be served by their children at their old age, in case of aging and illness and being very weak, with no complaint, criticism or grievance. A child will most likely suffer the same things his parents will suffer in aging, weakness and may be the state of senility.

A child could become a parent himself and may become an undesirable or unwanted parent in his children's home if Allāh wanted for such a child this situation. Such an aging parent is in need of help, care and assistance from his children as well. This is the normal life, as you deal with others, and especially your parents, Allāh will provide you with children who will treat you in the same manner and fashion. Therefore, if a child grew up to be kind to his old and aging parents, when they need care, service and assistance, let him rest assured that Allāh will cause his children to be as nice, or on the contrary, as evil as one was to his parents. In fact, as you treat your parents, your own children will treat you. Moreover, Allāh placed the parents in such a high position in accordance with Islām, the religion of the pure, innate (Fiṭrah) and practical way of life.

The rights of parents as preserved in Islām by Allāh are so immense that He (the Almighty) placed their rights upon their children nest to His Own right upon man, Whom He (the Almighty) created, cherished, sustained and supported. Allāh stated in the glorious Qur’ān:

"Worship Allāh and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good… " (4:36)

Allāh’s Apostle (ﷺ) places kindness to parents in a position higher than jihād, struggle and actual fight for the cause of Allāh, in an Islāmic battle and for a noble Islāmic cause. Ibn Masoud narrated that: ” I asked Allāh’s Apostle ﷺ, “What is the most beloved deed in the sight of Allāh, the Almighty?” He ﷺ said, “Offering salāh in its due and prescribed time.” I then asked, “What is next?” He ﷺ said, “kindness to one's parents.” I further asked, “What is next?” He ﷺ said, “Jihād for the cause of Allāh, the Almighty.” (Reported by Bukhāree and Muslim)

This Hadeeth shows the importance of the rights of parents upon their children. Nowadays, many individuals (regardless of creed, belief, national or geographical location, social or economical status) are showing discern, humiliation, carelessness, indifference or even neglect to their parents. One forgets the amount of effort they exerted physically, socially, economically, emotionally and spiritually to see their beloved child grow to become what he/she is.

Islām insists on the rights of the parents due to the very nature of human feelings, human needs, human race and society. What we Muslims believe is a sort of dedication that Allāh placed in the hearts of the young Muslim generation so the Muslims society becomes distinguished and unique for its own merits. Allāh stated in the glorious Qur’ān:

"Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination. " [31:14]

This natural right for the parents is preserved, honoured, respected and practiced by truly committed Muslims, young and old, anywhere in the Islāmic world. That is also why we urge everyone, Muslim or non-Muslim to learn about the beauty of Islām as a complete and integral way of life. It is indeed the pure and innate religion (Fiṭrah) that does not clash or contradicted with the correct natural matters of this life.

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