Responsibilities and duties of children towards parents,

Responsibilities and duties of children towards parents,

Respecting and fulfilling responsibilities towards parents holds a significant place in Islamic teachings, as emphasized in the Quran and Hadith. The Quran, in various verses, stresses the importance of kindness, respect, and obedience towards parents. One such verse is found in Surah Al-Isra (17:23), where Allah commands, "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."

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This verse lays the foundation for the responsibilities of children towards their parents, emphasizing not only obedience but also kindness and respect. It teaches that children should not express even the slightest displeasure ("uff") towards their parents, highlighting the significance of maintaining a respectful and caring attitude.

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Numerous Hadith further elaborate on these principles. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated, "Paradise lies at the feet of your mother" (Ahmad). This Hadith underscores the elevated status of mothers and the obligation to treat them with utmost kindness and reverence.

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Additionally, the Prophet emphasized the rights of parents in various contexts. For instance, he was once asked about the person most deserving of good companionship, and he replied, "Your mother, then your mother, then your mother, then your father, then your nearest relatives and then others in order" (Bukhari and Muslim). This Hadith underscores the exceptional position of mothers and the priority given to them in terms of care and companionship.

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Islam acknowledges the sacrifices parents make for their children and emphasizes reciprocating that care and love. The Quran reminds believers of the struggles mothers endure during pregnancy and childbirth, urging children to be grateful and dutiful. In Surah Luqman (31:14), it is stated, "And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship, and his gestation and weaning [period] is thirty months. [He grows] until, when he reaches maturity and reaches [the age of] forty years, he says, 'My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to work righteousness of which You will approve and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims.'"

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This verse beautifully encapsulates the stages of life and the continuous obligation to show gratitude and kindness towards parents. It acknowledges the physical and emotional hardships mothers endure and calls for children to recognize these sacrifices.

Another critical aspect highlighted in both the Quran and Hadith is the duty of financial support towards parents, especially in their old age. In Surah Al-Isra (17:26-27), it is stated, "And give the relative his right, and [also] the poor and the traveler, and do not spend wastefully. Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful."

This verse, while encompassing broader principles of financial responsibility, includes the duty of providing for relatives, which undoubtedly includes parents. The idea is not only to avoid wastefulness but also to fulfill the financial needs of those who are dependent, including parents.

Numerous Hadith reinforce this financial responsibility. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said, "It is better for a man that a steel nail be driven through the center of his head rather than if he casts a glance toward the wife of someone else, and it is better for a man that molten lead be poured into his ears than to listen to a conversation which is against his liking. And it is better for a man to be reduced to powder than to cast a glance towards the parents of someone else and his wife" (Muslim).

This Hadith emphasizes the severity of looking unfavorably at someone else's parents, indicating the importance of treating them with the utmost respect and refraining from any form of disrespect or harm.

In addition to these explicit teachings, the general principles of Islam, such as the emphasis on compassion, empathy, and justice, also contribute to the understanding of children's responsibilities towards their parents. Islam promotes a holistic approach to family relationships, fostering an environment of love, support, and mutual respect.

The responsibilities and duties of children towards parents in Islam are firmly grounded in the Quran and Hadith. The teachings emphasize not only obedience but also kindness, respect, and financial support. The profound acknowledgment of parents' sacrifices, especially those of mothers, underscores the importance of reciprocating love and care. Islam envisions a family structure where the bonds of kinship are nurtured with compassion, creating a harmonious and supportive environment.

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