International Islamic Publishing House

Publisher's Note 07 In the Name of Allah... 09 Introduction 11 Dutifulness to Parents 19 The Quran's commandment regarding parents 19 Dutifulness to parents is one of the Prophet's noted characteristics 24 Dutifulness to parents follows immediately after worshipping Allah 29 Dutifulness to parents admits one to Paradise, whereas undutifulness leads to Hell-fire 31 Allah's Pleasure comes through parents' pleasure and His Anger comes through their anger 38 Undutifulness to parents is forbidden 39 Undutifulness to parents is a grave sin 42 Dutifulness to parents precedes fighting in Allah's cause (Jihad) 44 Leaving Jihad for (the purpose of) serving parents; because Paradise is underneath their feet 44 Dutifulness to parents is of the righteous deeds one can invoke Allah with 48 Parents' pleasure precedes the wife 's pleasure 50 Dutifulness to the mother precedes dutifulness to father 51 Parents' invocations are answerable 53 Kindness to parents 54 The parents' favour to their children is great 60 Abusing and cursing one's parents is a great sin 60 The son is of his father's earnings 60 Dutifulness to parents after their death 64 Parents should raise their children well to make them righteous 66 Conclusion 71 Symbols used in this book 74 Glossary 75 Transliteration Chart 77 The All-Mighty Allah, has commanded people to be kind and loyal to parents. This commandment is an obligation in all revealed religions. Islam has further emphasized obedience to parents. Is it not the right of the parents, who take the child with care from childhood to adulthood, that their goodness be rewarded? One should respect the parents, love them and care for them when they grow old and need kindness.

In other words, he should help them in the same way a child needs help. Leaming their rights and consciously seeking their pleasure is not only a divine order, but also an act of worship and a human attribute. The author of this book has featured out all the aspects of this subject and has pointed out all the adverse effects emanating from the lack of dutifulness to parents. As a matter of fact, dutifulness to parents is the source of all happiness because it pleases Allah (~). I pray to Allah (~) that our brothers and sisters in the English speaking world benefit from this book and may Allah reward all of us and may His peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, his family, his Companions and the nations following him till the end of this world.

International Islamic Publishing House Riyadh, Saudi Arabia AH 1425 . I CE 2004 In the Name of Allah, the All-Beneficent, All-Merciful ~All the praise and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin [mankind, jinn, and all that exists]. The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. The only owner [and the only Ruling Judge] of the Day of Recompense [i.e., the Day of Resurrection]. You [Alone] we worship, and you [Alone] we ask for help [for each and every thing].

Guide us to the straightway. The way of those on whom you have bestowed your Grace, not [the way] of those who earned your Anger, nor of those who went astray) (Quran 1: 2-7) ct) ~-: ~~ .,,,,. /:// ~ :;~ 'j ~ \.__.. ... ~~ .,,,. -:: / ,,.-,: . , / ) .. >, .,, ~ ;JI~ / .,. ... , ., , . _-;..,, ~j_) ~--' o;l,:JI 0~_, ·~-~~ .:;y~ ~~I / ->. - // / · ~ / -! -/ > .,,. / ;, ~ / > > u-: Jjl L._, d.)l> /_;"J_jl,,... ~/ -{0~~ .6r ""~ .,... ~ - ~~~ ~ ~J·i·• > >j.• / /,.,, / / "/ ? ~__) ~ 1-)::u. & 4 j l ~ 0~-J: r°' j~"l~.., ,,~ <o - , :,~1 ' Jr") '"'~ -:-, ~ ei, r~ ,:ii~: ~~ ' " " ~ ~=I., ~A/if-Lam-Mm. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings.] This is the Book [the Quran], whereof there is no doubt, and guidance to those who are al-Muttaqi111 [the pious, righteous persons who fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)]. Who believe in the Ghayb (the invisible) [i.e., Allah, His angels, His Messengers, His Books, Day of Resurrection, Divine Ordainment... etc] and perform Sa/ah [Prayers] and spend out of what we have provided for them [i.e., give Zakah [poor due], spend on themselves, their parents, their children, their wives, etc., and also give charity to the poor and in Allah's Cause - Jihad (Holy War), etc.,]. And who believe in [the Quran and the Sunnah] what has been sent down to you [Muhammad] and in the Taurat [Torah] and the lnjil [Gospel], etc., which were sent down before you, and believe with certainty in the Hereafter. [Resurrection, recompense of their good and bad deeds, Paradise and Hell, etc.,] They are on [true] guidance from their Lord [Allah], and they are successful) (Qur 'an 2: 1-5) ~~ ~ G~ ~ 8:.:- ;~~ ~'{1 (~~__;~~ J. ,> ,,,,,...,, , ,, , , . . ., ,. .,..,.,. >> ,/' ., ,. / ,,,, / / ~ ~ \ Jt ~~)} J ~ \ ,) 0-4\c ~ ,~__, yj ~ ~~ ~ ;:J ~ '-i ~~ j ~ .J1~ 0}_; ® .:::.0 . _.,, , .~- · ~ro ,.,, cl\, ~· ,,,~·- 0'" ~ (:;''.J ~....,.-... - ~ ~ c r~ ~ Ji,~- ~® ~):::. ~ ~ rb~-;~ ~;.: ~h :j Jl (\O-\t : . ) ~ • ; r ) ~And We have enjoined on man [to be dutiful and good] to his parents, His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years - give thanks to Me and to your parents. Unto Me is the final destination.

But if they [both] strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not; but behave with them in the world kindly and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience. Then to Me will be your re~m , and I shall tell you what you used to do) (Qur 'an 31 : 14-15) All praise is due to Allah(~ ). We thank Him, seek His help and forgiveness, and we seek refuge with Allah from the evils of ourselves and our bad deeds. Whosoever has been guided by Allah, none can misguide him. And whosoever has been misguided by Allah, none can guide him.

I bear witness that there is no true deity but Allah, being Alone without any partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad(~ ) 'Blessings and Peace be upon him,' is His slave and Messenger. Allah (~) says: <, •r : .:,1~ JT •.;.,....) ~o· you who believe! Fear Allah [by doing all that He has ordered and by abstaining from all that He has forbidden] as He should be feared. (Obey Him, be thankful to Him, and remember Him always], and die not except as Muslims [with complete submission to Allah]) (Qur 'an 3: 102) He, (~) also says: ~; j~) ~ .; ~ .s)1 ~~ ~\ ~81 (~. ~ l ,,,, 5Jfu .sJf ~' ilJt ro; / ,.,..... c w .,. . ,,,, ., . 1~~ ~ ~; ~_;-5 ~ .,,, ,.(~ / -/ -t'.,;:- / , ~; ~ s /.~ •;,, ( \ : .L.,JI •_;_,....,) ~~ ~.) ~ 0~ 4l)\ wt tt,.:.Jl'\_, ' ~ ~O' mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person [Adam], and from him [Adam] He created his wife [f:lawwa' (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women, and fear Allah through Whom you demand [your mutual rights], and [do not cut the relations of] the wombs [kinship].

Surely, Allah is Ever All-Watcher over you) (Qur 'an 4: 1) Yet in another place, the All-High says: (V \ -V • : '":"' \j->- \r I •_;_,....,) ~O' you who believe! Be dutiful to your Lord and fear Him, and speak [always] the truth. He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, has indeed achieved a great achievement [i.e. will be saved from the Hell-fire and made to enter Paradise]) (Qur 'an 33: 70-71) Verily, the best speech is that of the Book of Allah, and the best guidance is the Prophet's guidance, and the worst (most evil) of things are the innovations in religion, and every innovation is an act of misguidance. I performed the Friday prayer on Rabi' al-Awwal 11 16 1, (the third month of the Hijrah Calendar I 1403 A.H. in Salary ad-Din mosque in Amman, Jordan.

The Kha{ib (the one who delivers the sermon) was my brother and tutor Abu Malik, Muhammad Ibrahim Shaqrah, 'may Allah bless him, ' and make his works of great benefit to others. His sermon reminded those praying in the mosque of the necessity of precisely following the orders of Allah's Book, the Quran and His Messenger's Sunnah. While doing so, he narrated one of the Prophet's hadiths (sayings), from Anas ibn Malik (~) 'may Allah be pleased with him': "The Prophet(~ ) ascended one of the pulpit stairs and said; Amin, and ascended the second one and said; Amin and ascended the third one and said, Amin. Then he (~) sat on the pulpit." His Companions asked: "Why did you say Amin?" He (~ ) said: "Gibril [(Gabriel)( ~ ) 'May Peace be upon him],' came to me and said: 'May his nose be covered with dust, 1 he before whom I [Muhammad] was I This is an Arabic expression to indicate that the addressee is losing something valuable. (Translator) mentioned and he did not pray for Allah's blessings on me.' Then I said: 'Amin.' Then he (Gibril) said: 'May his nose be covered with dust, he whose parents lived till he attained the age of puberty and was not admitted to paradise (after his death because of his ill behaviour towards them).

I said: 'Am'in.' Then he (Gibril) said: 'May his nose be covered with dust, he who witnessed (the month of) Rama<,lan and was (or his sins were) not forgiven (on account of his evil actions in this sacred month). Then I said: 'Am'in'.'" 2 This Prophetic hadith touched the bottom of my heart, and induced me to write this booklet, gathering the Qur' anic verses and the authentic Prophetic sayings dealing with the issue of Dutifulness to Parents, at a time when many Muslims (neglected and) moved away from taking care of their fathers and mothers, and when their religious spirit has so fainted, that they did not (and do not) give their parents their rights which Allah (~) enjoined on them. I, therefore, made up my mind, putting my trust in Allah, the All-Mighty, (to give me the power to write the book) and started reading Allah's Book (the Quran), taking heed and examining carefully the verses, so that I could find 2 Fa<!! a~-Saliit 'ala an-Nabi, Pp. 30-33, by Ismail ibn lshiiq. Shaykh N2siruddin al-Albani has collected and authenticated the hadith with a number of chain of narrators. every verse that pertains to the issue of this book. Then I searched for the authentic hadiths in the Sunan (hadith books) and cited only those that were authenticated by the early and contemporary scholars of hadith.

While reading about the subject and studying it, my reverend teacher Shaykh Muhammad N~irud-Din alAlbani, informed me that there was a published paper about Dutifulness to Parents by 'Abdur Ra'iif al-l.linnawi. I managed to get it from one of my Muslim brothers, I read it, scrutinized it and gained a lot of benefit from it. However, the paper's way of discussing the subject was totally different from the track I adopted. It contained a lot of weak hadiths and long stories about people whose origin could not be authenticated. Whereas I in my treatise, confined myself only to the Qur'anic verses, explaining their difficult meanings, depending on Ibn Kathir's interpretation of the Glorious Quran and the authentic Hadiths.

I am indeed indebted to my reverend teacher Shaykh Muhammad Na~irud-Din al-Albani, who generously granted me the manuscript of his book $a/Ji/J at-Targhib wat Tarhib, of which the first volume has been recently published. I ask Allah, the Almighty, to pave the way for the remaining volumes of the book to see the light of the day. This book greatly benefitted in knowing the authentic hadiths related to my subject. I am also grateful to brother Shaykh 'Awny ashSharif, who offered me an index for $a/JI/J al-Jami', arranged alphabetically according to the titles of subjects the book contains. It made easier for me to find the authentic hadiths related to my subject.

I also offer my gratitude to all those who offered me their help with advice, and guided me. I invoke Allah ( ~) to make this paper beneficial to all Muslims, benefit me after death. May it become for His sake only and the All-High, grant me its reward. May Allah also make me one of those who are dutiful to their parents. Allah (~) says: ~ ~ ~\ Jf :; ~i @5; ~; j~ S ~ ~9> (Aq,-M : ,1~1 •_;_,...) .tt.f; J;\ ~\@I ~The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail.

Except him who approaches Allah with · a clean heart [clean from shirk (polytheism) and nifoq (hypocrisy)].}t (Qur 'an 26: 88-89) The Quran's commandment regarding parents Allah (~) says: \_;~ \~~;.l i~91~ ~~~ -ql ~>~ ~' ~ ; ~~-~ ti fi ~ ~:¥) ~~ ~ \ .!l~ ~ ~~ ® ~}==- ~; (~ j~ ~~ ~~ :f' ~Q~ ~ ~J ~j Ji~~\~ j]1 (_~ (~1 ., .,. •>b. ~y >!. . .,. .f·t Y-!' 14A / .,. ~ ~~ 0} ~.>'-> ~ ~ fol ~.) ~ ~ ~®' (To-r'I" :.1_:_.:j1._;_,....) />,: / -::~· ., /' >-:., ·l! I . .,., ')I.I IJ. ~ ,< I.:,~ ,,T0, !J.P'~J,, ~And your Lord [Allah] has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age while with you, say not to them 'ujj' [disapproval or irritation], nor shout at them, but address them in terms of honour. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: 'My [Lord]!

Bestow on them your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was small.' YourLdrd knows best what is in your inner-selves. If you are righteous, then, verily, He is Ever OftForgiving to those who tum unto Him again and again in obedience and in repentance.) (Qur 'ah 17: 23-25) (10-\i :.:.,~._,y--) ~Arid We have enjoined on ma:n [to be dutiful and good] to his parents. His mother bore him in weak1 ness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weartirtg is in two years - give thanks to N1e a'rid to your parents. Unto Me is the final destinatitlh. "f3ut if they [both] strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which )'tm have no knowledge, then obey them not, but behave with them in the world kindly, and fottow the path of him who tums to Me in repentanee and in obedience.

Then to Me will be ytiur rett.iin, ·and !·shall tell yoo what you used to do.:~ (Qttr'an 31: 14-15) ( A : ...:.., _,.,s::.;J I • _;.,..... ) •And We have enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his parents; but if they strive to make you join with Me [in worship] any thing [as a partn.er] of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not. Unto Me is your return, and I shall tell yo,u what you used to do) (Qur 'an 29: 8) (Y• - \o :._jl.o.>-'ll oJr) ~And We enjoined on man to be dutiful and kind to his parents. His mother bears him with hardship. And she brings him forth with hardship, and the bearing of him, and the weaning of him is thirty months, till when he attains full strength and reaches forty years, he says: 'My Lord! Grant me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your Favour, which You have bestow-ed upon me, and upon my parents, and that I may do righteous, good deeds, so as to please You, and, my Lord make righteous for me my off-spring.

Truly, I have turned to You in repentance, and truly, I am one of the Muslims [submitting to Your Will].' They a,c those from whom We shall accept the best of their deeds and overlook their evil deeds. [They shall be] among the dwellers of Paradise-a promise of truth, which they have been promised. But he who says to his parents: 'Fie upon you both! Do you hold out the promise to me that I shall be raised up [again] when generations before me have passed away [without rising]?' While they [father and mother] invoke Allah for help [and rebuke their son]: 'Woe to you! Believe! Verily, the promise of Allah is true.' But he says: 'l'his is nothing but false tales of the ancient.' They are those against whom the Word [of torment] is justified among the previous [nations or] generations of jinn and mankind that have passed away.

Verily, they are ever the losers. And for all, there will be degrees according to that which they did, that He [Allah] may recompense them in full for their deeds. And they will not be wronged. On the Day when those who disbelieve [in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism] will be exposed to the Fire [it will be said]: 'You received your good things in the life of the world, and you took your pleasure and abused them therein. Today you shall be recompensed with a torment of humiliation, because you were arrogant in the land without a right, and because you used to rebel and disobey [Allah]) (Qur 'an 46: 15-20) -·~(i,-:: ·-=- ~- ~=-:- 1 t; 'ta~~ ..,, 1S~ ~.,t~:;}... 9- ,,~ J.;- ~ _,...:;..u., .r u ~ .T r- ~ ~ .) /,;. :r, ~ ~, ·-=- ~ i "--~-== \; ,, j ,..-:Ji ;;-:w : ,,=:.J,,, y'.'J ,,. _. o--:'J i.

J:!_..J 'J (r \ o : ,;:.._J I'.!_.,.....) ,.(~ ~ "'(~ -_.. ~ ,,,_ -:.11 ic;,_ ~They ask you (O' Mu~ammad] what they should spend. Say: 'Whatever you spend of good must be for parents and kindred and orphans and almasiikin [the poor] and the wayfarers, and whatever you do of good deeds, truly; Allah knows it well) (Qur 'an 2: 215) In the previous verse, Allah(~). mentioned parents ahead of kindred, orphans, the poor, and the wayfarers, when talking about giving charities (and those supposed to receive them). The following hadith also supports the previous point. The Prophet (~) said: "Whatever you spend of good must be for your mother, your father, your sister, your brother, then the lowei, then the lowest (regarding kinship)." This hadith will be (fully) stated in the section regarding the precedence of the mother's right to the father's. Dutifulness to parents is one of the Prophets' noted characteristics 1.

Allah, the Exalted, All-Glorious, says - talking about 'Eesa ibn Maryam (:e) 'peace be upon him' (Jesus, son of Mary): ('1"1-'I"• :~_; •.;.,.....) ~He [Eesa (Jesus)] said: 'Verily, I am a slave of Allah, He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet. And He has made me blessed wheresoever I might be, and has enjoined on me $alah [prayer], and Zakah [poor due], as long as I live.' 'And dutiful to my mother, but made me not arrogant, unblest. And Salam [peace] be upon me the day I was born, the day I die and the day I shall be raised alive!' Such is Eesa, son of Maryam [Mary], [It is] a statement of truth, about which they doubt [or dispute]) (Qur 'an 19: 30-34) 2. Allah(~) also saystalking about-Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (:-~ ), j ~:~;~ ~~ ~~ , , i,l ;a. II _; :~~ (.9~ /.,... 0A.J ,., . y_;).. ~ y J ,.:-, 8/ Ff'\ ~~ >~-' ,.,,. -: . :>i1-' ~ ~:, ...

(.Y-!. (Y.. ~r--:J I.> ,.J'J ,. ~ .'-> ~ ~ o,-t, :i-::A'.r.l•.;.,.....> ,.(~.\ 0. t:J1 ~~ - to' my Lord! Make me an establisher of prayers, and [many] from my offspring. O' our Lord, and accept our supplications. Our God, Forgive me and my parents, and [all] the believers on the Day when the reckoning will be established.·~ (Quran 14: 40-41) 3.

He (~) says: ,-::..:{/ ~ j- ~!.J ~ t> ~~ ~ -...-, -~---1,/ 1:..;.;..: J.,,,, ~ . ..::../).. ;..'...)]" fifA ~ ~1 ~ ~ ~ '-51:;G ~ - ... _ ~ .,,.. Zt......~f j J.i.... ~LJ - ,,,, .... ~- ,,.. f .,.. - 0~ j;. ~) .q_; ®) Z,{wJI ~ 51? ,il 4~ At (AV-A"f : . \ ~ I .,,_,....) ""(f;$i '°'t~ ~My Lord! Bestow lfukm [religious knowledge, right judgement of the affairs and Prophethood] on me, and join me with the righteous. And grant me an honorable mention in later generations. And make me one of the inheritors of the Paradise of Delight.

And forgive my father, verily he is of the erring. And disgrace me not on the Day when they [all the creatures] will be resurrected) (Qur 'an 26: 83-87) 4. And about Prophet Sulayman (Solomon) (:-~ ), He (t;) says: ~Till they came to the valley of the ants, one of the ants said: 'O' ants! Enter your dwellings, lest Sulaymiin and his soldiers should unintentionally crush you. So he [Sulayman] smiled, amused at her speech and said: 'My Lord!

Inspire me and bestow upon me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your Favours which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds that will please You, and admit me by Your mercy among Your righteous slaves.'~ (Qur 'an 27: 18-19) 5. And about Prophet Nii}:l (Noah)(:-~ ) He (~ ) says: (YA - n :c;;•.;.,.....) ~And Nii}:i [Noah] said: 'My Lord! Do not leave upon the earth from among the disbelievers an inhabitant! If You leave them, they will mislead Your slaves and will beget none but wicked disbelievers. My Lord!

Forgive me, and my parents, and him who enters my home as a believer, and all the believing men and women. And do not increase wrong-doers except in destruction.·~ (Quran 71 : 26-28) 6. And about Prophet Isma'il (:-~ ),He, the Almighty, AllHigh, says: (\ •V-\ • \ :..:..,L.;~I • .>_,......) ~So We gave him the glad tidings of a forbearing boy. And, when he reached with him [the age of] exertion - the ability to work and be of assistance -he said: 'O' my son! I have seen in a dream that I offer you in sacrifice [to Allah].

So, look what you think!' He said: 'O' my father! Do as you are commanded, Inshii' Allah [if Allah so wills], you shall find me of.the steadfast - a~-~iibirin.' Then, when they both had submitted [to the Will of Allah], and he put him [Isma'il] down upon his forehead We [Allah] called to him: 'O' Abraham! You have fulfilled the dream [vision]!' Verily, thus do We reward the mulJ.sin'in [good doers]. Verily, that indeed was cl manifest trial, and We ransomed him [lsma'il] with a great sacrifice [i.e., a ram].~ (Quran 37: 101-107) 7. And about Prophet Ya)Jya (John)(:-~), He(~) says: ® ,. / "p'J qi.._, ;__~ ......·-~\'J - ~ / > I J ,.., ,.,. ...:;J , / ,. ,.

J ~ ~ ~ j; ;~~ !;.;~ @ ~ ~t ~_,$j~ G1 ~ G'~_; ~ }/ .'.ii' /+// & ;:i~,''-' ._,~ i-'!.J J.J iY.. , - N \~- .~/ \"~.. {,-',- ~ ~ ~ ~ (' ,~- '...I : . r--,..r"- .OJ.J- > ~fJA.o~ ~-,. ~->- ;:._:: ~~ 1...T-' ~'O' Ya)Jya [John]! Hold fast the scripture [i.e., adhere to it]. And We gave him wisdom [while yet] a boy. And affection from Us and purity, and he was fearing of Allah. And dutiful to his parents, and he was neither arrogant nor disobedient [to Allah or to his parents].

And Salam (peace) be on him the day he was born, the day he dies, and the day he will be raised up to life [again]!~ (Qur 'an 19: 12-15) Dutifulness to parents follows immediately after worshipping Allah I. Allah (~) says: ~And your Lord has decreed [or enjoined] that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents .. ) (Qur 'an 17: 23) 2. He (~) also says: ·-:,:i1., I/.. _·-1:., ..~ ·,:><-;!- ( / ;.1- ~~y':'.J - '>'r .:,JJ,, ,.-:~, ,. I >>·~,-- 4U 'J...Y:.~* ,, *,- en :.t.:....;i1 •.;..,.....> ~@· ..

(Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him; and do good to parents, .. ) (Qur 'an 4: 36) 3. And He (~) says: ,,. ,, -: / > .. ,,.,,,. / / ,.. .,. / ,,, ,-:- ,.,,.,,., • ::)... ~I :Jt 0.J~ ~ J.~:,..:.~ ~ ~ ~j. '.)1.J:r ~Remember when We took a covenant from the children of Israel, [saying]: 'Worship none but Allah [Alone] and be dutiful and good to parents, .. .'~ (Qur 'an 2: 83) 4. And, He (~) also says: ,,...., .!.,: .. ,,... > ~i ~ ~~ t~ ~ ~' i_;i~ Ji ... ~ y i../ ~~ ... ~~ ~~~~J \..: ':. "-f!, / • .,, ,. -~ / i...,.. ......:.: l.,i.r • ,> (\O\ :il..:,..;~lo.)J-') 4Say [O' Mul).ammad]: 'Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: 'Do not coworship any thing with Him; and be good and dutiful to your parents; ...

"~ (Qur 'an 6: 151) 5. 'Abdullah ibn Mas'iid (~) (may Allah be pleased with him), said: "I asked Allah's Messenger about the best deed in Allah's sight." The Prophet (~) said: 'To perform the prayers on their appointed times.' I said: 'Then what is the next (in goodness)?' He said: 'Being dutiful to parents. ' 3 I said: 'Then what is the next (in goodness)?' He said: 'To fight in Allah's cause (Jihad).' " 4 Dutifulness to parents admits one to Paradise, whereas undutifulness leads to Hell-fire 1. Abu Hurayrah (~) narrated that the Prophet (~) said: "May his nose be covered with dust, may his nose be covered with dust, may his nose be covered with dust. It was said: 'Who is he, O' Allah's Messenger?' He said: 'It is he whose parents, both or either attain old age while he is alive and is not admitted to Paradise (because of his undutifulness 3 The Prophet mentioned dutifulness to parents immediately after the act of performing prayers and before Jihad. 4 Bukhari and Muslim, refer to SaWJ at-Targhib wat-Tarhib. to them, and then dies in such a state).' " 5 2.

Anas ibn Malik (~) said: "Once the Prophet (~) ascended the first step of his pulpit and said: 'Amin (so be it with Allah's Will).'" Then he ascended the second step of his pulpit and said: 'Amin. Thereafter he ascended the third step and said: 'Amin. Then he sat on the pulpit. His Companions said: "Why did you say Amin?" He, (~) said: "Gibril (Gabriel) came to me and said: 'May his nose be covered with dust the one before whom your name is mentioned and he does not send prayers on you.' Then I said: 'Amin.' Then he (Gibril) said: 'May his nose be covered with dust, the one whose parents attain old age while he is alive and is not admitted to Paradise (because of his undutifulness to them and then dies in such a state).' Then I said: 'Amin.' He then said: 'May his nose be covered with dust, the one who witnesses Ramadan and he is not forgiven (or his sins are not forgiven because he did not make good use of it by performing righteous deeds).' Then I said: 'Amin."' 6 3. Jiibir ibn Abu Samurah (~) narrated: "The Prophet(~) once ascended the pulpit and said: 'Amin, Amin, Amin.'" ~ Muslim, vol. 8, hadith nos. 5 & 6. 6 This hadith has been ;iUthenticated by al-Albani in his treatise Fa<!,/ a~-salah 'ala an-Nabi (The Merit of Sending Prayers on the Prophet).

Then he (~) said: "Gibril came to me and said: 'O' Muhammad, he whose parents attain old age while he is alive and then dies and enters Hell-fire, then may Allah curse him, say Amin.' So I said: 'Amin.' Then he said: 'O' Muhammad, whosoever witnesses Ramadan, then he dies and is not forgiven, enters Hell-fire, may Allah curse him, say Amin.' And I said: 'Amin.' Then he said: 'And before whom you are mentioned and he does not send his prayers on you, and he dies in such a state enters Hell-fire, may Allah curse him, say Amin.' Thereupon I said: 'Amin.' " 7 lbn l:libbiin narrated that Abu Hurayrah (~) reported that the Prophet (~) said: "He whose parents, - one or both of them - attain old age while he is alive, and is not dutiful to them, and dies (in such a state) and then enters Hell-fire, may Allah curse him, say Amin (O' Muhammad)." I then said: 'Amin.' " 8 Al-l:liikim and others narrated this hadith in other wordings from Ka'b ibn 'Ajrah - the end of the hadith states: 7 Sa~i~ at-Targh"ib wat-Tarhib. 8 Ibid. "When I ascended the third (step of the pulpit), he (Gibril) said: 'May he be cursed the one whose parents attain old age - one or both of them - while he is alive and they (parents) did not cause him to enter Paradise (because he was undutiful to them).' So I said: 'Amin.' " 9 4. Malik ibn 'Amr al-Qushayri (~) narrated, "I heard Allah's Messenger (~) say: 'Whoever manumits a slave, it would be his ransom from Hell-fire, and the one whose parents attain old age while he is alive and is not forgiven (of his sins), may Allah curse and destroy him.' " 10 5. Ubay ibn Malik(~) narrated that the Prophet(~) said: "The one whose parents attain old age - one or both of them - while he is alive, and he enters Hell-fire after that (i.e., after his death), may Allah curse and destroy him." 11 6. 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'A~ (~) narrated that the Prophet (~) said: "Three (kinds of people) for whom Allah has forbidden Paradise are: the drunkard, the undutiful 9 $alJilJ at-Targhib wat-Tarhib.

IO Ibid. II Silsilat al-AIJiidith Q!f-SalJil;ah. to his parents, and the procurer who allows his wife to be a prostitute." 12 7. 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar (~) related: "The Prophet(~) said: 'Three (kinds of people) who will never enter Paradise, and Allah will never look at them on the Day of Resurrection, and they are: the undutiful to one's parents, the woman who behaves like men and the procurer. ' " 13 8. 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'A~ (~) said: "Three (kinds of people) will not enter Paradise (on the Day of Judgement): the one who reminds people of his charities to them, the undutiful to parents and the drunkard.

" 14 9. Abu Umamah (~) reported that the Prophet(~ ) said: "Three (kinds of people) from whom Allah will never accept repentance nor ransom on the Day c, f Resurrection: the undutiful (to one's parents), the one who reminds people of his charities to them and the one who denies the Preordainment." 15 12 $a~1~ at-Targhlb wat-Tarhlb. 13 $a~i~ al-Jami·, hadith no. 3058 and lfijab al-Mar 'ah al-Muslimah, p. 67. 14 $a~,~ al-Jami', hadith no. 7553. 15 Ibid, hadith no. 3060. 10. 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'A~ (~) narrated: "The Prophet (* ) said: 'Three (kinds of people) at whom Allah will never look on the Day of Resurrection and they are: the undutiful to one's parents, the woman who behaves like men and the procurer.' And three (kinds of people) will never enter Paradise: 'The undutiful to one's parents, the drunkard and the one who reminds people of his charities.'" 16 11. Abu ad-Darda' (~) said that the Prophet (~ ) said: "The following kinds of people will never enter Paradise: the undutiful to one's parents, the drunkard and the one who denies the Preordainment." 17 12. Anas ibn Malik (~ ) said that the Prophet (* ) said: "Three kinds of people will never enter Paradise: the drunkard, the undutiful to one's parents and the reminder of charities (or favours)." 18 13.

'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'A~ (~) narratedd: "The Prophet (~) said: 16 Sa/;11; al-Jiimi ', hadith no. 3066, and Silsilat al-Al;iidith a!f-Sal; Il;ah, hadith no. 674. 17 Silsilat al-Al;iidith a!f-Sal; Il;ah , hadith no. 675 . 18 Ibid, hadith no. 673. 'lbree kinds of people will never enter Paradise: the drunkard, the undutiful (to parents) and the reminder of charities.' " 19 14. 'Amr ibn Murrah al-Juhany (4*,) said: "Once a man came to the Propl•et (~) and said: 'O' Messenger of Allah, I bore witness that there is no true god but Allah, and that you are the Messenger of Allah, I performed the five Prayers, paid the poor due out of my money and observed (fasting) Ramadan.' The Prophet said: 'Whosoever dies in such a state 20 will accompany the prophets, the righteous (truthful) and the martyrs on the Day of Resurrection.' Then he, raised his two (fore and middle) fingers and said: 'Unless he is undutiful to his parents.' " 21 19 Ibid. 20 That is, to die while believing in the Oneness of Allah sincerely and worshipping Him alone, establishing the Prophet's Sunnah, performing prayers at their fixed times, paying Zakah and fasting Ramadan, one's abode then will be in Paradise with the prophets, the righteous and the martyrs, provided one is dutiful to one's parents and does not harm them a bit. That is, performing the Islamic obligations admits one to Paradise, provided one is dutiful to one's parents, for being undutiful to them nullifies the rewards of the good deeds. 21 $a~i~ at-Targhib wat-Tarhib. Allah's Pleasure comes through the parents' pleasure and His Anger comes through their anger 1.

'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'A~ (•) narrated: "The Prophet (~) said: 'The Lord's pleasure is in the parents' pleasure (i.e., the latter causes the former), and the Lord's anger is in the parents' anger.' " 22 2. 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'A~ (•) also reported: "The Prophet ~) said: 'Allah's pleasure is in the parents' pleasure (i.e., the latter causes the former), and His anger is in their anger.' " 23 3. Abu Hurayrah <•) related: "The Prophet (~) said: 'The Lord's - the All-Glorious, the Almightypleasure is in the parents' pleasure, and the Lord's - the All-Glorious, the Almighty - anger is in the parents' anger (i.e., their anger causes Allah's Anger).' " 24 22 SalJi/J al-Jami·, hadith no. 3500 and Silsilat al-AQadith ~-$aQiQah, hadith no. 516. 23 $aQiQ al-Jami', hadith no. 3501. 24 $aQiQ at-Targhib wat-Tarhib. Undutifulness to parents is forbidden 1: Allah(~) says: ~- .. And that you be dutiful to your parents.

If one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them, "Uff" - a word of disrespect, nor shout at them, but address them in terms of honour. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: 'My Lord! Bestow on them your Mercy as they brought me up when I was a youngster.' Your Lord knows best what is in your inner selves. If you are righteous, then, verily, He is Ever Oft-Forgiving to those who tum unto Him again and again in obedience and in repentance) (Quran 17: 23-25) 2. In another place, the All-High says: ~And he who says to his parents: 'Fie upon you both!

Do you hold out the promise to me that I shall be raised up [again] when generations before me have passed away [without rising]?' While they [father and mother] invoke Allah for help [and rebuke their son]: 'Woe to you! Believe! Verily, the promise of Allah is true.' But he says: 'This is nothing but the tales of the ancient.' They are those against whom the Word [of torment] is justified among the previous generations of jinn and mankind that have passed away. Verily, they are ever the losers. And for all, there will be degrees according to that which they did, that He [Allah] may recompense them in full for their deeds.

And they will not be wronged. On the Day when those who disbelieve [in the Oneness of AllahIslamic Monotheism] will be exposed to the Fire [it will be said]: 'You received [and abused] your good things in the ·life of the world, and you took your pleasure therein. Today, you shall be recompensed with a torment of humiliation, because you were arrogant on earth without a right, and because you used to rebel and disobey [Allah]) (Qur 'an 46: 17-20) 3. Al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah (~) reported that the Prophet (~) said: "Verily, Allah has forbidden you from being undutiful to mothers, 25 burying girls alive, abstaining (from giving others their rights) and usurping (unjustly the rights of others). And He disapproves of you: irrelevant talk (especially in religious matters for the purpose of exciting disputes among Muslims), persistent questioning, and wasting of wealth (extravagantly).

" 26 4. 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'A~ (~) related: "The Prophet (~) said: 'Verily, Allah, the Exalted, Almighty, does not like 25 That is, to be disobedient to them, causing their anger, and not providing subsistence for them, for doing all this is a grave sin that incurs a severe torment on oneself. 26 Muslim, vol. 5, hadith no. 131. undutifulness to parents.' " 27 5. Abu Umamah (•) narrated that the Prophet (ii) said: "Three (kinds of people) from whom Allah will never accept ransom nor repentance on the Day of Resurrection: the undutiful (to one's parents), the boaster of charities (or favours) and that who denies the preordainment. " 28 Undutifulness to parents is a grave sin 1. Abu Bakrah (~) reported that, "The Prophet(*) said: 'Should I inform you about the greatest of the great sins?' They said: 'Yes, O' Allah's Messenger.' He said: 'To associate and co-worship others with Allah and to be undutiful to one's parents.' The Prophet then sat (straight) after he had been reclining and said: 'And I warn you against giving a false statement,' and he kept saying that till we wished that he stopped29 " 30 27 !fa/Ji/J al-Jami', hadith no. 1845. 28 Ibid, hadith no. 3060. 29 That is: 'We wished that he stopped saying these words out of compassion for him, since we saw signs of anger on his face.' 30 Bukhari and Muslim, !fa!Ji/J at-Targhib wat-Tarhib. 2.

'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'A~ (~) narrated: "The Prophet (~) said: 'The greatest among the great sins are: associating and co-worshipping partners along .with Allah, being undutiful to one's parents and taking a perjury oath31 .' " 32 3. Anas ibn Malik (~) said: "Once great sins were mentioned in the presence of Allah's Messenger, he said: 'They are: associating partners along with Allah and being undutiful to (one's) parents."' 33 4. The Prophet (~) once sent a letter with 'Amr ibn J:lazm to the people of Yemen and wrote in it: "Among the greatest of the great sins in Allah's sight on the Day of Resurrection are: associating and co-worshipping partners to Allah, killing a believing soul without a just right, turning one's back in the battle for the cause of Allah, being undutiful to one's parents, slandering the married, righteous and believing women, learning (and dealing with) magic, consuming usury and eating (unjustly) the orphan's property." 34 31 By which one usurps others' rights. 32 Al-Bukhari. 33 Ibid. 34 lbn }:J.ihban in his SalJilJ, refer to SalJilJ at-Targhib wat-Tarhib. Dutifulness to parents precedes fighting in Allah's cause (Jihad) 1. 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (~) reported: "I asked Allah's Messenger about the best deed." He (~) said: 'Performing prayers at their fixed times.' I said: 'Then what comes next?' He said: 'Being dutiful to (one's) parents.' 35 I said: 'Then what is next?' He said: 'Fighting in Allah's cause.'" Leaving Jihad for (the purpose oO serving parents; because Paradise is underneath their feet 1.

'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'A~ (~) narrated: "A man came to the Prophet (~) and said: 'I give you the pledge of allegiance that I shall emigrate (from the disbelieving country to the believing one), strive (fight) in Allah's cause, seeking Allah's rewards.' The Prophet said: 'Is any of your parents alive?' The man said: 'Yes, both of them.' He then said: 'And you seek Allah's rewards?' The 35 The Prophet, mentioned dutifulness to parents just after performing prayers, and before Jihad (fighting in Allah's cause). man replied in the affirmative. He said: '(In that case) return to your parents and be dutiful to them.' " 36 2. In another hadith, 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'A~ (~ ) reported: "A man came to the Prophet to ask him his permission to participate in Jihad (fighting in Allah's cause)." He said: 'Are your parents alive?' The man replied in the affirmative. Then he said: 'Then exert yourself in their service.' " 37 3. 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'A~ (~ ) related: "A man came to the Prophet and said: 'I have come to give you the pledge of allegiance to migrate (from the disbelieving country to the believing one), and I had left my parents crying.' The Prophet said: ' Return to them and make them laugh (or pleased) as you had caused them to cry.' " 38 4.

Abu Hurayrah (~ ) reported: "A man came to the Prophet to ask for his permission to participate in Jihad." The Prophet (~ ) said: 'Are your parents alive? ' The man 36 Muslim, vol. 8, hadith no. 3. 37 Bukhari and Muslim, refer to $alJilJ at-Targhib wat-Tarhib. 38 Abu Dawud, refer to $alJilJ at-Targhib wat-Tarhib. replied in the affirmative. He said: 'Then exert yourself in their service.' " 19 5. TaJJ:iah ibn Mu'awiyah as-Sulami (~) narrated: "I once came to the Prophet and said: 'O' Prophet of Allah I want to fight (or participate in fighting) in Allah's cause.' He (~) said: 'Is your mother alive?' I said: 'Yes,' He said: 'Lower yourself to her foot, 40 for Paradise is at her feet.' " 41 6. Mu'awiyah ibn Jahimah reported that, "Jahimah came to the Prophet and said: 'O' Messenger of Allah, I want to participate in Jihad, and I have come to counsel with you.' He (~) said: 'Do you have a mother (who is alive)?' I said, 'Yes.' He said: 'Stay near her, for Paradise is underneath her foot42 .' " 43 7.

Mu'awiyah ibn Jahimah (~) related, in another hadith: 39 Muslim and Abu Dawud, refer to Sa~i~ at-Targhib wat-Tarhib. 40 That is lower yourself in humility, obey her, serve her and be kind to her, and, consequently, you will be admitted to Paradise. 41 Tabrani, and al-Albani considered it sound, refer to Sa~i~ at-Targhib wat-Tarhib. 42 This is a metonymy, which indicates granting them honour, pleasing them and acting with humility towards them. Allah says: ~And lower to them the wing of humility and show mercy unto them) 43 lbn Majah and Nasa'i, and al-Albani considered it as authentic, See SaWJ at-Targhib wat-Tarhib. "I came to the Prophet to ask for his permission to participate in Jihad." He said: "Do you have parents (who are alive?)" I said: "Yes." He then said: "Stay near them, for underneath their feet lies Paradise. " 44 8. Abu Sa'id (~) narrated: "A man from Yemen emigrated to the Prophet (to stay with him)," He (~) said: "Do you have any relatives in Yemen?" The man said: "My parents." The Prophet then asked: "Had they given you the permission to emigrate?" The man said: "No." The Prophet then said: "Return to them and ask them for their permission.

If they give you their permission (to emigrate and fight along with me in Allah's cause), then fight; otherwise, (stay with them and) treat them kindly (and be dutiful to them)." 45 44 Tabarani and is authenticated by al-Albani in SaJJ,JJ at-Targhib watTarhib. 45 Sa/JI}J al-Jami·, hadith no. 905 and lrwa ' a/-Ghalil hadith no. 1199. Dutifulness to parents is of the righteous deeds one can invoke Allah with 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar (~) narrated that the Prophet (~) said: "Once upon a time three men were walking and a heavy rain overtook them. They reached and entered a cave in a mountain for shelter. A big rock rolled down and closed the mouth of the cave. They said to one another: 'Nothing could save you from this rock, but to invoke Allah by giving reference to the righteous deeds which you have done, for Allah's sake only.' So, one of them said: 'O' Allah!

I had old parents (whom I used to provide with milk first), and I never provided my family (wife and children) with milk before them. One day, by chance, I was delayed, and I came late (at night) after they had slept. I milked the sheep and took the milk to them, but I found them sleeping. I disliked providing my family with milk before them. So, I waited for them with the bowl of milk in my hand, and I kept waiting for them to get up, till the day dawned.

Then, they got up and drank their milk. O' Allah! If I did that for Your sake only, please relieve us from this critical situation caused by this rock.' So the rock shifted a little, but they could not get out. The Prophet added that the second man said: 'O' Allah! I had a cousin who was the dearest of all people to me, and I wanted to have sexual intercourse with her, but she refused.

She later asked for hundred dinars to meet some of her indispensable needs. I then collected hundred dinars and went to her and gave it to her. I then sat on her legs to fulfill my desire, at that moment she said: 'O' Slave of Allah! Fear God and do not break the seal without right, that is, sex is valid only after legitimate marriage.' Bo, I left her. O' Allah, If I did that for Your sake only, please relieve us from the present calamity.' So, the rock shifted a little more, but still they could not get out of there.

The Prophet added that thereafter the third man said: 'O' Allah! I employed few labourers and I paid them their wages with the exception of one man, who did not take his wages and went away. I invested his wages and I got much property thereby. After sometime, I he came back and said to me: 'O' Allah's slave! Pay me my wages.' I said to him: 'All the camels, cows, sheep, and slaves you see there, are yours.' He said: 'O' Allah's slave!

Don't mock at me.' I said: 'I am not mocking at you.' So he took the entire herd and drove them away and left nothing. O' Allah! If I did that for Your sake only, please relieve us from the present suffering.' So, the rock shifted completely and they got out, walking.' " 46 Parents' pleasure precedes the wife's pleasure 1. lbn 'Umar (~) said: "I married a woman whom I loved much, but 'Umar (his father) hated her and commanded me to divorce her, but I refused. Then he went to the Prophet (*) and told him the matter." The Prophet said to me: "Divorce her. " 47 2.

Abu ad-Darda' (~) narrated: "Once a man came to me and said: 'I have a wife whom my mother asks me to divorce.' I said: 'I heard the Messenger of Allah (*) say: 'The parents are the middle door among the doors of Paradise48 ; you can lose it or win it, if you so wish.' ' " 49 46 Bukhari and Muslim, refer to Sa~i~ at-Targhib wat-Tarhib. And Saljil} al-Jami·, hadith no. 2867. 47 Sa~1~ at-Targhib wat-Tarhib. 48 The middle door means the best door of Paradise. (That is, being dutiful to parents leads one to enter Paradise through its best door). (Translator) 49 Sa/Ji/J at-Targhib wat-Tarhib. 3. lbn ijibban (~) narrated the previous hadith in another wordings in his $alfi~: "A man came to Abu ad-Darda' and said: 'My father kept asking me to get married, till I did, and now he orders me to divorce my wife.' " Abu adDarda' said: "I will neither advise you to be undutiful to your parents, nor will I command you to divorce your wife. But I will tell you something I heard from the Prophet (~).

I heard the Prophet say: 'The parents are the middle door of Paradise; you could either lose it or win it.' " 50 4. Mu'adh ibn Jabal (~) said: "The Messenger of Allah enjoined on me to do ten things." He (~) said: "Do not associate anything with Allah, even if you are killed or burnt, and do not be undutiful to your parents even if they command you to abandon your beloved ones and your prope~ty. " 51 Dutifulness to mother precedes dutifulness to father l. Abu Hurayrah (~-k,) narrated: "A man came to Allah's Messenger and said: 'O' Allah's Messenger! Who is more 50 $a~i~ at-Targhtb wat-Tarhib. 51 Ibid. entitled to be treated with my best companionship?' The Prophet (*) said: 'Your mother.' The man said: 'Who is next?' He said: 'Your mother.' The man then said: 'Who is next?' He said: 'Your mother.' The man then said: 'Who is next?' He said: 'Your father.' " 52 2.

Abu Hurayrah (~) narrated that the Prophet(~) said: "Be dutiful and kind to your mother, then your mother, then your mother, then your father, then those who are lower in the rank of kinship, then the lowest. " 53 3. In another hadith, the Prophet (~) said: "Be dutiful and kind to your mother, your father, your sister, your brother, then the lower in kinship, then the lowest. " 54 4. Al-Miqdam (~) reported that the Prophet (~) said: 52 This hadith indicates that the mother has a right which equals three folds that of the father, and this is due to the hardship the mother faces during pregnancy, delivery, and fostering the child.

Then after birth, the father shares her the responsibility of raising the child. This is mentioned also in the Holy Quran as: ~And We have enjoined on man [to be dutiful and good] to his parents . His mother bore him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years) (Quran 31: 14) 53 Sa~i~ al-Jami', hadith no. 1395. 54 Ibid, hadith no. 1396. "Verily, Allah enjoins on you to be dutiful to your mother (thrice), and Allah, the Al~ighty, enjoins on you to be dutiful to your father (twice), and Allah, the All-High, enjoins on you to be dutiful and kind to the nearest in . kinship then the nearer. " 55 Parents' invocations are answerable 1.

Abu Hurayrah (~) related .that the Prophet (~) said: "Three (kinds of) invocations are certainly answered: the invocation of the parent for or against his son (or daughter), the invocation of the traveller and the invocation of the oppressed. " 56 2. Anas ibn Malik(~) reported that the Prophet(~ ) said: "Three (kinds of) invocations are not turned down: the invocation of the parent for his son (or daughter), the invocation of the one observing $awm (fasting), and the invocation of the traveller. " 57 3. Abu Hu.rayrah (~) narrated that the Prophet(~) said: "Three invocations are undoubtedly answered: the 55 $a~1~ al-Jami', hadith no. 1920. 56 Ibid, hadith no. 3028. 57 Ibid, hadith no. 3029. invocation of the oppressed, the invocation of the traveller and the invocation of the parent for his son (or daughter).

" 58 Kindness to parents Dutifulness to parents include: 1. Appropriate kindness to them, 2. Invoking Allah's blessings for them, 3. Paying attention to their advises (in this world) and,