Filial gratitude to parents

Praise be to Allah who connected the right of parents with His Right in the Qur’an, and threatened the people of disobedience with painful torment and punishment. I praise Him (Glory be to Him) for He is the Only One who deserves praise and gratitude.

I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone who has no partner despite the denial of those who disbelieved in Him. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger who will intercede for the people on the Day of Gathering. O Allah, send peace and blessings upon Your Servant and Messenger Muhammad, upon his family, his Companions, and those who have followed him until the Day of Recompense.

O people, fear Allah truly and hold firm with the bond of Islam and know (may Allah bestow mercy on you) that filial gratitude to parents and maintaining good relationships with one's relatives are the reasons for every goodness in this world and in the Hereafter. On the other side, cutting the relationship with them and disobeying them entail the wrath of Allah and His Punishment in this world and in the Hereafter. It was authentically reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) that he said: "Shall I inform you about the grievous of the major sins? associating others with Allah in worship and filial ingratitude to one's parents."[1]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "May Allah curse those who are disobedient to their parents."[2]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Allah delays the punishment of all sins until the Day of Recompense except filial ingratitude to one's parents which He hastens its punishment in the world before death."[3]

Ka`b Al Ahbar (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) said: "Verily, Allah accelerates the destruction of a person if he is disobedient to his parents, and Allah increases the lifetime or a person who is obedient to his parents to increase his good deeds." The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) explained the five pillars of faith without which a person shall not become a Muslim which are: The two testimonies of faith, performing Salah, paying Zakah, fasting Ramadan, and performing Hajj to Makkah if a person is able to do so. Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Three Ayahs were revealed correlated with three which none of which shall be accepted without its pair; one of which is Allah's Saying: "Obey Allâh and obey the Messenger (Muhammad peace be upon him)." [Surat Muhammad: 33]. So, the obedience of Allah shall not be accepted without the obedience of the Messenger. The second is Allah's Saying: "And perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and give Zakât." [Surat Al Baqarah: 43]. So, the one who performs Salah without paying Zakah, Salah shall not be accepted. And the third is Allah's Saying: "Give thanks to Me and to your parents." [Surat Luqman: 14]. So, the one who shows gratitude to Allah without showing gratitude to his parents, it shall not be accepted from him. Therefore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The satisfaction of Allah shall be achieved by the satisfaction of the parents and His Wrath shall be achieved by the wrath of the parents."[4]

One of the features of filial ingratitude to parents is not to obey them in the things which they command you to do, not to fulfill their oath if they make an oath that you would do such and such, and to betray the trust which they have given you; this is a simple part of their ingratitude. Dear Muslim, you have heard the story of `Alqamah who showed gratitude to his wife rather than his mother and that prevented him to utter "La Ilaha Illa Allah [No god but Allah]" at death and upon leaving the world.

O servant of Allah:

Be kind to them as they showed kindness to you and as Allah commanded you by His Saying: "And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents." [Surat Al Isra': 23].

Dear brother, let it be known that your parents are the causes of your presence in this life. They have suffered a lot of hardship and trouble in your rearing until you have become more powerful than them. Now, they have become weak and need your help, so show kindness to them and be kind to them as they have showed kindness to you. And know that Paradise lies under the feet of mothers [a metaphor for showing kindness to mothers] as was reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him): "A parent guarantees for you to enter the best gate of Paradise, so keep that or waste it."[5]

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds [i.e., people].