11.2, Kind Treatment Towards Parents

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Mentioned alongside Shirk (polytheism) on numerous occasions in various sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), there can be no doubt that disobedience to parents is a serious sin; a major sin in fact. In this context, I begin by repeating a verse from the previous part and request you to read knowing that this is a command direct from Allah, the Creator and Lord of you and I and all that exists:

“And your Rubb (Lord) has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: ‘My Rubb! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young’.” (17:23-24)

What if our parents pass away? Are there any acts of kindness or obedience that we can do for them after their death?

Abdullah bin ‘Umar (RA) reported: The Prophet (SAW) said, “The finest act of goodness is that a person should treat kindly the loved ones of his father.” (Muslim)

This Hadith teaches that after the death of our parents, we should maintain contact with their friends and treat them nicely. To forget their friends and break contact with them is a condemned act.

Lastly, Abu Usaid Malik bin Rabee’ah As-Saa’idi (RA) reported:
We were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (SAW) when a man of Banu Salamah came to him and asked, “O Messenger of Allah! Is there any obedience to parents left that I can show to them after their death?”

He (SAW) replied, “Yes, to pray for them, to supplicate for their forgiveness, to fulfil their promises after their death, to maintain the ties of kinship which cannot be maintained except through them, and to honour their friends.” (Abu Dawud)

It is clear from this Hadith that the life of our parents is a blessing because their life provides us with opportunities to serve them wholeheartedly, as ordained by Allah.

If we want to be nice to them after their death we should adopt the methods mentioned in this Hadith, which are to pray for them, to supplicate for their forgiveness, to fulfil their promises after their death, to maintain the ties of kinship which cannot be maintained except through them, and to honour their friends.

Subhaana-Allah, such is the Grace and Mercy of Allah: not only will we be rewarded for the virtuous acts we do for our deceased parents but their status will also be elevated in the Hereafter.