“And spread for them the arm of humility with a soft heart and say. “O my Lord; have mercy on them as they both brought me up in my childhood.” Al Israa, 17: 24

Islam is a religion of peace. It envisions the humanity as an institution whose core institution is a family that includes parents and their children. That is why it becomes all more significant to build up the relationship of parent-children ties. Thus the social fabric of Muslim community continues to be intact inside the border of Islamic society. Quran has numerous verses that replete with the commandments of both children as well as parents to understand their obligations and responsibilities coupled with proper etiquettes comprising of social interaction.

 

Valuable Investment

Islam explains the spirit of parenting in the true manner in which it makes us realize that kids are not glitter and pomp of our worldly life but a trust given to us by Allah Almighty. In Surah AL Kahf Allah further explains the reality of this relationship in following words;

“The wealth and descendants are an adornment of the worldly life and the everlasting are the good deeds; their reward is better for Lord and it is the best to hope.”

Children are a big blessing from Allah ﷻ, and our lives are enlightened by taking this trust from Allah pretty serious. By grooming our kids according to Allah’s will who ordered us to take care of this valuable investment, we can protect ourselves and them from the dangers of hellfire.

Mutual Gain and Loss

An ideal Islamic society can be achieved if the children are nurtured according to the Islamic teachings. However, raising kids is a big test of Allah and an examination to check parent’s commitment towards this important obligation. Allah, the Exalted, stated in Surah At Taghbun verse 15

“Your wealth and children are just a trial, and with Allah is an immense reward.”

The success of this test establishes harmony and peace in the child-parent relationship. Children will give the love and respect to their elders and parents will keep earning good deeds in their lives and after their death due to pious and righteous progeny. That is how to get the reward as Allah, and Prophet Muhammad PBUH promised.

 

The pleasure of Parents is Pleasure of Allah ﷻ

Good behavior towards parents is the part of faith. This shows the significance of being dutiful towards parents. Children need to show the exemplary attitude towards their parents. Allah ﷻ explains the severity of this issue in following verse of Surah Israel verse 23-24;

 

“And your Lord commands that to worship none except HIM and do good to your parents. If either or both reaches old age before you, utter not even a faint cry to them and don’t hide them and speak to them respectfully.”

 

Allah SWT stresses that fact that pleasure of Allah lies in the pleasure of parents and happiness of Allah is in the happiness of parents.

 

Total Submission

Children are bound to be completely obedient towards parents until they order something against Islamic teaching and Sunnah. The significance of total submission can be deduced from following hadith of Prophet Muhammad PBUH;

“Whoever doesn’t respect elders and show mercy to the younger ones, they’d be not amongst us.”

May Allah ﷻ blesses His mercy upon our parents and bind our heart together. Ameen!