No single person, in the right frame of mind, believes in denial the rights of the parents unto their own children. The parents are, indeed, the very reason for the existence of their child. Both parents are entitled to great rights by their children in accordance of Islam, and all other sound principles, as well. But, let us closely examine the right of parents to their children according to Islam.

Parents raise their own children and care for them throughout 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 full lunar months, in most normal pregnancies. She gives her fetus from her won food and sustenance bearing all the biological, chemical and physical changes that she is burdened with, with a pleasant feeling, high hopes and beautiful expectations of her beloved baby.

All these difficulties encountered by a mother, although causing her fatigue, weakness and many other problems, are not but a pleasure to most normal pregnant mothers who are in love with their children in their wombs. Allah, the Almighty stated in the Glorious Qur’an:

“And we have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: In travail upon travail did his mother bear him and in years twain, was his weaning: (Hear the command), “Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: To Me is (the final) Goal.” [31:14]

Later in the life of a child, his mother nurses the child regardless of how tiring this process is, how demanding it may be, how difficult it could become at times, but still mothers sacrifice all for their beloved babies. Normal mothers willingly, happily and gladly do that for their beloved children, in most ordinary cases for two years or even longer, without compliant, burden or even hesitation, day and night, summer and winter, busy or unoccupied, tired or rested, happy or sad, as mothers again take a special interest in their babies.

It is, therefore, for that very reason, along with many others, illustrated later, that Allah, the Almighty, constituted this immense right on man towards his parents. The sacrifices of mothers mainly are the 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 his/her life when such child can not fetch for himself, defend himself 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. In fact, some mothers approach death, or even their own children have grand children, but yet, they still considered them their “babies”, as if they never left that infant and helpless stage. For that reason, Allah, the Almighty stated in the Glorious Qur’an:

“Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say no word to them in contempt, nor repel them but address them in terms of honor. And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility and say: “My Lord! Bestow upon them thy Mercy as they did bring me up when I was small” [17:23-24]

The most essential right of parents unto their children, male and female, 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 commands and instructions do not contradict, conflict with, or disrespect the commands of Allah, the Almighty, 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 from 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 suffer from in aging, weakness and maybe the state of senility. A child, in most normal circumstances, could become a parent himself, and may become and undesirable or unwanted parents in his children home or household, if Allah, the Almighty, wanted for such a child this situation.

Such an aging parent is in need for the help, caring and assistance of his children as well. This is the normal life, as you deal others, and especially your parents, Allah, the Almighty, 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 Allah, the Almighty, 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, Allah, the Almighty, placed parents in such a high position in accordance with Islam, the religion of the pure, innate and practical way of life. The rights of parents as preserved in Islam by Allah, the Almighty, are so immense that He, the Almighty, placed their rights upon their children next to His own right upon man, whom He, the Almighty created, cherished, sustained and supported. Allah, the Almighty stated in the Glorious Qur’an:

“ Serve God, and join not any partners with Him; and do good to parents.” [4:36]

Allah’s Apostle, PBUH, placed kindness to parents in a position higher than Jihad, struggle and actual fight for the cause of Allah, the Almighty, in an Islamic battle and for a noble Islamic cause.

Ibn Masoud, RAA, a companion of Allah’s Apostle, PBUH said [I asked the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wasallam: “What is the most beloved deed in the sight of Allah, the Almighty?” He, PBUH said: “Offering Salah in its due and prescribed time”. I, then asked: “ What is next?” He, PBUH, said: “Kindness to one’s parents.” I further asked: “ What is next?” He, PBUH, said: “Jihad for the Cause of Allah, the Almighty”]. This Hadith, statement of Allah’s Apostle, PBUH, is reported by both Bukhari and Muslim.

This Hadith, definitely, shows the importance of the rights of parents upon their children. It is a very unfortunate situation to notice, nowadays that 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 own parents.

At times, the best thing that one does is to send a gift, a greeting card, a message with someone, a telephone call, a telegram or a even a fax to his parent wishing them a happy year, a happy birthday, a happy anniversary or any other occasion. One forgets that amount of effort they exerted physically, biologically, socially, economically, emotionally and spiritually to see their beloved child grow to become what he/she is.

Occasionally, children may get together for a reunion, so to speak or for a special occasion or event. Nine out of ten times if you ask a person who is brought up in Western hemisphere, although he might be a Muslim, about what would do with his own parents when they grow old, grumpy and maybe incapable of caring for their own affairs, he answer comes spontaneously: “I will arrange a very nice, clean and pleasant nursing home!!!” What a caring child! One forgets totally what his own parents did for him at his young age! How much they struggled for him! How much they sacrificed for his safety, pleasure, health and happiness. That is history.

He take the extra effort to care for them when they really need his care and company in a pay back so to speak terms and conditions!!! Moreover, it is noticed, nowadays also that some very unfortunate parents are treated rather inhumanely by their children. There are even some other children who do not admit any right for their parents but rather discern them, attempt to ridicule them, insult them, humiliate them or even beat them in private, or at times in public calling them from senile, old man, old woman, and every other name in the book. Such youngsters will get their due and fair reward in this life before the hereafter, Allah, the Almighty knows best.

Islam insists on the rights of the parents due to the very nature of human feelings, human needs, the human race and society. That, what we, Muslims, believe is a sort of dedication that Allah, the Almighty, placed in the hearts of the young Muslim generation so the Muslim society becomes distinguished and unique for its own merits. Allah, the Almighty stated in the Glorious Qur’an:

“Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents.” [31:14]

That is the Islamic criterion for the right of the parents. This is but a truly human, honoring and respectful treatment to the physical parents, who produced us from their very existence, dedicated their life, efforts, wealth and all what they could afford to see us the way we are. Those who stayed awake during the nights when we ached, deprived themselves new cloths to see us wearing new clothes, suffered when we suffered, celebrated the our first step, felt happy and proud when we achieved, felt miserable and unhappy if we failed. That is why we should honor them at their old age.

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