Respecting parents is a form of obligation in Islam. It should be something that never be questioned because the answer is obvious, parents give birth and raise us. With all their sacrifice throughout our lives, no children can ever repay their parents’ goodness.
Islam sees respect for parents as one of the most important aspect in life. There are many aspects in life considered as unforgivable sins and not respecting parents is one of them. Children who do not respect their parents even in adult life will receive punishment in Hereafter. Here are 15 importance of respecting your parents in Islam. See also treating pregnant women in Islam.
1. A form of iman
There are many things in Islam strengthen the iman such as 5-times prayers, reciting Quran, do charity, and many other. One of the form and most important iman includes respect to parents. Respecting parents does not mean to always give them loads of money but it is stressed our behavior to them. Give them a bit of attention and time is one of the ways to respect parents.
2. Reward as much as Hijrah and jihad
Jihad is a way of Muslim to hold still for their belief. These days the word jihad almost has negative meaning for many reasons. Respecting parents has the same reward as Jihad.
Abdullah bin Amr narrared: A man said to the Prophet, “Shall I participate in Jihad?” The Prophet said, “Are your parents living?” The man said, “Yes”. Then the Prophet said, “Do jihad for their benefit.” Sahih Al-Bukhari – book 73 Hadith 3.
3. More than just a good deed
Islam regulates its believers’ way of life to always deal with good things especially in the relationship between children and parents. This is because parents nurture and care children for entire lives. However, at one point the condition reverses as parents become old, feeble, and in need of the same nurture and care. Caring for parents has the same qualities of all good deeds. See also benefits of kindness in Islam.
The Prophet Muhammad also said, “If anyone possesses these three characteristic God will give him an easy death and bring him into His paradise: gentleness towards the weak, affection towards parents, and kindness to slave.”
4. A form of grateful
Respecting parents is one of the ways to show gratitude. Parents demand nothing from their children, yet, they give everything they can to nurture and care their children. The best thing children can give to parents is love and respect. There is nothing better than respect from children as a way to thank parents for everything. See also importance of gratitude in Islam.
5. Earn Allah’s blessing
Parents’ blessing is the key to children’s success. This is because parents’ blessing is also God’s blessing. When parents bless us for anything that we do, so does Allah gives His blessing. Parent’s saying is also dua for the children.
As narrated by Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar, “Allah’s pleasure is in the pleasure of the father, and Allah’s displeasure in in the displeasure of the father.” Hadith Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and Hakim.
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6. A key to paradise
Muslims hold parents in high esteem as a way to follow commandments of Allah. It is even said that the way to paradise really do lie in the feet of a mother. This is more than just a saying or empty words; respecting parents is the key to paradise.
Islam underlines the importance of family unit as a loving and good relationship between children and parents is crucial. After Allah, parents are the first people who deserve our obedience and gratitude. Showing respect, mercy, and love towards parents is obligatory.
Narrated from Hadrat Abu Darda Radiallahu Anhu in Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah, “They (parents) are your Paradise and Hell,”
7. It is beneficial actions
Respecting parents is not only obligatory when they are alive. Even after parents pass away, children still have to respect and honor parents. Children may pray, make supplications for God, and also pay any worldly debts such as fasting, and also give charity under parents’ name. Keeping the tie kinship with parents’ friends is also a way to show respect and love to parents after their death.
“When a person dies, all his deeds, come to an end except three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge (which he has left behind), or a righteous child who will pray for him.” (At Tirmidhi)
8. Earn forgiveness from Allah
In many verses in Quran, Allah makes clear that kindness, duty, and gratitude towards parents are important. Obedience to parents is a way to seek forgiveness from Allah for our sins. See also about benefits of forgiving in Islam.
Hadit from Hadhrat Abu Bakr RadiAllahu Anhu as narrated by Tibrani/Hakim,” The punishment for all sins, if Allah wills can be suspended until the day of judgement, except the punishment fro disobedience of parents – which Allah sends in his lifetime.”
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9. A way of repent/taubat to Allah
If someone has committed sins and he wished to redeem his sins with repentance, then he can respect and obey his parents or closest families to the parents. Through this way, Allah may accept the repentance if He wills.
10. Remove obstacle in life
Ever think that life is very hard and difficult? Indeed, life is hard but everything will be easy when parents give their blessing. Remember, parents’ blessing is Allah blessing and parents’ saying is also a form of dua. Respecting parents removes obstacles in life as they always bless you and make dua for anything that you are going to do.
Parents and elder people has special place in Islam. They have to be respected in many ways as a part of faith. Here are some others importance of respecting parents in Islam.
Islam is a religion which emphasize in tolerance, qualities of mercy, and respect. God has clearly ordered us to treat parents with respect. Those who respect their parents with good will receive immense rewards, but those who treat parents with disrespects will receive punishment in his lifetime. Also see importance of helping others in Islam.
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