Islam’s Stress on Respecting Parents
Respecting parents has been stressed in divine religions and genuine cultures as many of them prioritize respecting parents compared to other issues. In Islam, too, this topic has been mentioned with special stress as God Almighty refers to it along with the act of worshiping Himself: “Your Lord has ordered you to worship none except Him, and to be good to your parents.” (Surah al-Isra, verse 23)
This verse shows that the only right that stands above that of parents is the right of God and one can only disobey the order of parents when it is against God’s order; otherwise, submitting to the orders of parents is Wajib (compulsory).
The Quran also notes that respectful treatment of parents is among the features of prophets. For instance, verse 14 of Surah Maryam points to Hazrat Yahya (AS) saying he was “kind to his parents”. The same Surah quotes Hazrat Isa (Jesus) (AS) as saying “He has commanded me to be good to my parents and has not made me an arrogant rebellious person.” (verse 32)
Quranic concepts combined with the Prophet (PBUH) Sunnah instruct us to be humble before our parents. “Be humble and merciful towards them and say, "Lord, have mercy upon them as they cherished me in my childhood.” (Surah al-Isra, verse 24)
Treating parents with kindness and humility may have some differences in some cultures but this is a human principle and exists everywhere. All humans should adhere to it.
By Hossein Allahverdi
