Prophet Muhammad ﷺ too has cautioned believers to be very mindful of the respect due to one's parents and should never ever compromise their status over any other relation. Failing to do so would carry such a punishment that one cannot even think of. It is generally observed that men after their marriage are more caring to their own family, that is wife and children, and relgated the respect, service and attendance to their parents to a lower shade. For such men, this Hadith should act as an eye opener:
This Hadith is quoted in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: Book 45 The Book of Virtue, Enjoining Good Manners, and Joining of the Ties of Kinship / كتاب البر والصلة والآداب / Chapter 3: The Disgrace Of One Whose Parents, One Or Both Of Them, Reach Old Age During His Lifetime, And He Does Not Enter Paradise / باب رَغِمَ أَنْفُ مَنْ أَدْرَكَ أَبَوَيْهِ أَوْ أَحَدَهُمَا عِنْدَ الْكِبَرِ فَلَمْ يَدْخُلِ الْجَنَّةَ / as Hadith number # 2551a as under:
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) as saying:
Let him be humbled into dust; let him be humbled into dust. It was said: Allah's Messenger, who is he? He said: He who sees either of his parents during their old age or he sees both of them, but he does not enter Paradise.
Arabic Text:
حَدَّثَنَا شَيْبَانُ بْنُ فَرُّوخَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ سُهَيْلٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " رَغِمَ أَنْفُ ثُمَّ رَغِمَ أَنْفُ ثُمَّ رَغِمَ أَنْفُ " . قِيلَ مَنْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ " مَنْ أَدْرَكَ أَبَوَيْهِ عِنْدَ الْكِبَرِ أَحَدَهُمَا أَوْ كِلَيْهِمَا فَلَمْ يَدْخُلِ الْجَنَّةَ
Explanation of the Hadith
The Prophet (ﷺ) repeats this phrase to emphasize severe regret and disappointment. It reflects a deep sense of lost opportunity and serves as a stern warning to those who fail in their duty towards their parents.
"The one who sees one or both of his parents in their old age but does not enter Paradise":
This statement highlights that caring for one’s aging parents is not just a moral duty but a significant opportunity for earning Allah’s pleasure and securing a place in Paradise. Failing to take care of one’s parents, especially when they need it most, is seen as a grievous shortcoming.
- Emphasis on Serving Parents: Serving one’s parents, especially in their old age when they are most vulnerable, is a unique form of worship that has immense rewards. The Prophet (ﷺ) stresses that such an opportunity should not be wasted.
Connection with the Quran
The hadith directly aligns with various verses of the Quran that emphasize the importance of kindness, respect, and obedience to parents, especially when they reach old age.
- Obligation to Show Kindness to Parents:
- Quranic Reference: “And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.” (Surah Luqman 31:14)
- Implication: This verse highlights the importance of gratitude towards parents, acknowledging the hardships they endured, especially the mother. It calls for recognizing the debt of care and kindness owed to parents.
- Treating Parents with Humility and Mercy:
- Quranic References:
- “And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], ‘uff,’ and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.” (Surah Al-Isra 17:23)
- “And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, ‘My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.’” (Surah Al-Isra 17:24)
- Implication: These verses command Muslims to show utmost respect and kindness towards their parents, especially in their old age. Even the smallest sign of annoyance or disrespect, such as saying “uff” (a term of mild displeasure), is prohibited, demonstrating the high standard of behavior expected.
- Link Between Serving Parents and Attaining Paradise:
- Quranic Reference: “And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness...” (Surah Luqman 31:15)
- Implication: This verse acknowledges that while one’s primary duty is to Allah, the requirement to treat parents with kindness remains paramount, even when there are differences in belief. It stresses that this kindness and patience are pathways to earning Allah’s pleasure and, ultimately, Paradise.
Lessons and Reflections
- Opportunity for Great Reward: The hadith emphasizes that having parents in old age is a unique opportunity for great spiritual reward. By serving them, one has a direct path to Paradise, which should not be taken lightly.
- Parental Rights in Islam: The hadith and related Quranic verses highlight that Islam places immense importance on the rights of parents. This includes physical care, emotional support, and showing respect and humility, especially when they are old and frail.
- Consequences of Neglect: The Prophet’s (ﷺ) strong language serves as a warning against neglecting parents. Failing to serve one’s parents in their time of need is not just a social failing but a spiritual one, with serious consequences in the Hereafter.
- Gratitude and Patience: Islam teaches that caring for parents, especially in their old age, is a form of gratitude for all they have done. It also requires patience and humility, reflecting the care and compassion they showed in raising their children.
This hadith, supported by Quranic teachings, underscores the immense significance of honoring, serving, and caring for parents, especially in their old age. It presents this duty as a means of attaining Paradise and warns of the spiritual loss for those who neglect it. Through this guidance, Islam emphasizes that serving one’s parents is among the highest forms of worship and an essential aspect of a believer’s path to Allah’s pleasure and reward.
Time is now for all those whose parents are still alive to be kind to them and serve them at priority than all other relations. Anyone who hurts one's parents and is negligent of their service, should immediately return to one's parents and let them not be hurt. Those who have lost their parents should pray for their forgiveness and grant of Jannah tul Firdous, while repenting to not have done enough to take care of them.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Warning and Cautions for more Hadiths on the subject
For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.
Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.
0 comments:
Post a Comment