The Blessing of Having Righteous Parents (2/3)

Appreciating the Mother and Father

Islam  legislates   that  Muslims  should  appreciate  the virtue and  rights  of  creation  who  grant  them  favors,  especially and   foremost   the   mother   who   endures   hardships   after hardships  and strives  hard in the service  and rearing  of her children.  Also,  the  father  strives  hard  to rear his children, filling  their  life with  love and care,  spending  on them  and supporting   them   financially   and  emotionally.   Moreover, admitting  to the  favors  one receives  is made  more  perfect by  striving  hard  to  return  the  favor  in  kind,  In  contrast, one's   ignorance  in  and neglect  of the rights  of those  who grant  him   favors,   are  some  of  the  worst  characteristics there  are, especially  the case if one adds to its  returning  the favor with evil.[1]

Abu Al-Laith said:

"If  the  offspring   becomes   righteous   and  his  or  her parents  teach him or her religious  knowledge  and the Qur'an,  they will collect  as much rewards  as that the offspring collects, without decreasing from the rewards of the offspring.  Consequently, if parents  do not teach their offspring  the Qur'an  and instead teach him or her the way of sin, the parents  will collect as much sin as that collected by the offspring without decreasing the offspring's evil burden.”[2]

Indeed, Allah has sternly warned against neglecting rearing the children righteously, when He said:

"O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones." (Surah At-Tahreem, 66:6)

Furthermore, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) indicated that one's children will dispute with him on the Day of Resurrection if the parent had neglected teaching and rearing them righteously. For instance, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

"All of you are guardians and responsible for your wards and the things under your care. The Imam (i.e. ruler)   is   the   guardian   of   his   subjects   and   is responsible for them and a man is the guardian of his family and is responsible for them." (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Moreover, the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:

“He who reads the Qur’an and adheres by it, then his parents will be granted crowns to wear on the Day of Resurrection; the light of the crowns is more bright than the sun’s light in the houses of this world! What do you think of those wearing the crowns?”[3]

Further, and as we mentioned before, the parents should invoke Allah for their children and strive hard to be a good example for them:

“And those who say, ‘Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders of the Muttaqun (The Pious).’ ” [Surah Al-Furqan, 25:74]

For instance, ‘Umar bin Abdul-Aziz has set a good example for his son and for all Muslims after him. When he was told that a son of him bought a ring of a thousand dirhams, he wrote to him:

“I was told that you bought a ring that cost a thousand dirhams. So when you receive this letter, sell the ring and fill a thousand stomachs (with food bought) with that money. Then buy a ring for two dirhams that has a core of iron and have the following words in scripted on it, ‘May Allah grant His Mercy to he who knows the limits of his own self.’”[4]

Another  aspect  of  righteous   parenting,   is that  Allah  will protect  one's   children   after  he  or  she  dies,  if  they  were brought  up to be good Muslims  and servants  of Allah. Abu Hazim Salamah   bin   Dinar   passed   by   Abu   Ja'far    AI­Madini, who was sad at the time, and asked him:

"Why are you sad? But if you wish; I would tell you why."  Abu Ja’far said, “Tell me why." Abo Hazim said, "Have you thought about what would happen to your children   after you?" Abu Ja’far said, "Yes." Abu Hazim said,  "Do  not  do  that,  for  if  they  are Auliya' (supporters, loyalists) of Allah,  then  do  not even  fear for their  well-being. If they are enemies of Allah, then do not worry about what will happen to them after you."[5]

Parents fear Allah's punishment might touch their Children

Abu Hayyan At-Taymi said:

"I saw Majma' At-Taymi cry at his son's   funeral, and I asked why he cried.  He  said,  'I feel  grief  for my  loss,  just   as  any  parent   would   feel,  and  I cry because  I do not  know  if he will  end up in Paradise or the Fire. "[6]

This   is   how   concerned    and   worried    one   should    be concerning   his   children's    well-being    and  the   fate  they would  face  after  they  die,  for  this  life  is  short  and  the eternal  life is there,  in the dwelling  of eternity,  May  Allah make  us, our parents  and  our  offspring  among  those  who dwell and gather in Paradise  forever.

(Continued)