Rights of Parents in Islam – Importance, Hadith & Quran Quotes
Introduction
Islam places great emphasis on kindness, respect, and obedience towards parents. After the worship of Allah ﷻ, the most important duty of every Muslim is to honor their parents. The love, sacrifice, and care of parents can never be repaid — yet Islam teaches us to serve them with humility and gratitude.
“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents.”
وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا
1. The Position of Parents in Islam
Parents hold a position of great honor. Allah ﷻ mentions them right after His own worship, showing their elevated status.
“Give thanks to Me and to your parents; unto Me is the final destination.”
أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيْكَ إِلَيَّ الْمَصِيرُ
From birth to adulthood, parents guide, support, and make countless sacrifices. Recognizing this love and returning it with obedience and kindness is a form of worship.
2. The Mother’s Right
The mother holds a very special place in Islam due to her pain, care, and continuous effort from pregnancy to raising a child.
A man once asked the Prophet ﷺ:
“Who among people is most deserving of my good treatment?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied: “Your mother.”
The man asked again, “Then who?”
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Your mother.”
He asked a third time, “Then who?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied: “Your mother.”
The man asked again, “Then who?”
He said: “Your father.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 5971; Sahih Muslim, 2548)
This shows the mother’s unmatched status and the father’s respected role as the family’s leader and protector.
3. The Father’s Right
The father is the provider, guide, and protector of the family. His hard work and sacrifices ensure the comfort of his children.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“The father is the middle gate of Paradise; if you wish, keep it or lose it.”
Serving one’s father with respect and love is a means of entering Jannah.
4. Speaking Kindly and Humbly
Islam commands believers not to speak harshly or show arrogance toward parents — even when they grow old or become weak.
“Do not say to them even ‘uff’ (a word of disrespect), nor repel them, but speak to them a noble word.”
(Surah Al-Isra, 17:23)
فَلَا تَقُلْ لَهُمَا أُفٍّ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُلْ لَهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيمًا
A believer must lower his voice, be patient, and treat parents with the highest respect.
5. Making Dua for Parents
Even after their death, children should continue to make dua for their parents.
“My Lord! Have mercy upon them as they brought me up when I was small.”
(Surah Al-Isra, 17:24)
رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“When a person dies, all his deeds come to an end except three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.”
6. Disobedience to Parents – A Major Sin
Disrespecting or disobeying parents is one of the major sins in Islam.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Shall I inform you about the greatest of the major sins?”
They said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.”
He said, “Associating partners with Allah and disobedience to parents.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 2654; Sahih Muslim, 87)
7. Serving Parents – A Door to Paradise
Serving one’s parents, especially in their old age, is a chance to earn Allah’s pleasure and Jannah.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“May he be humiliated, may he be humiliated, may he be humiliated — the one whose parents reach old age in his life, and he does not enter Paradise (by serving them).”
Conclusion
The rights of parents in Islam are sacred and eternal. Serving them, respecting them, and praying for them is a lifelong duty. Whether they are alive or have returned to Allah ﷻ, our love and prayers for them should never stop.
May Allah bless all parents with good health, forgive their shortcomings, and grant them the highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdaus.
Ameen.
