Introduction to Dutifulness to Parents

A focused study of one of the greatest obligations in Islam: birr al-walidayn (dutifulness and excellence in treatment of parents). Allah mentions obedience and kindness to parents immediately after commanding worship of Him alone: "Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents" (17:23) — making this among the most emphasized ethical obligations in the Quran.

The book covers: the Quranic and prophetic evidences for the enormous status of parents; the specific obligations toward the mother and father respectively; the ruling on obeying parents in matters that do not involve disobedience to Allah; how to maintain one's relationship with non-Muslim parents; dutifulness to parents after their death through prayer and charity on their behalf; and the severe prohibition against ingratitude or mistreatment of parents.

In an era of family fragmentation and individualism, this work is a timely reminder of one of the pillars of Islamic society. The Prophet (peace be upon him) ranked dutifulness to parents among the greatest deeds after prayer at its proper time — and ranked disobedience to parents among the greatest sins.