4. Craving after their guidance to the right path even if they

be non-Muslims. (\o :.:.> L.;...l•.J.r-) ~But if they endeavour to make you associate with Me, that of which you have no knowledge; then obey them not; but behave kindly with them in the world, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and obedience. Then to Me will be 58 Sal/i~ al-Jami', hadith no. 3030. your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do.. (~r'an 31: 15) 2. Allah(~) says about Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (9.): j~ il C{t) tA ll:~ 5'6 .t; ~Y.t ~ ~ ~f,~ If::. . ~> ~r > ·> .:j' >" .,, ~ G~ · ~1 ~~ ~}:i ;i;.~ ~ - !:J ~ . f.

J ~ • r:- , . - ,-;.., ~:~ ~t~ c ~ff u ~:, ~ Jl ?.~ ® , , .-;: .. ,, . , ,, -: .. ,,...,,. / t...:- ~ .r ,,, .I' ,, ..... •f 5-,Lz:':I\ ~ . ~ I ~~ ":J ?~ ~ ~r U..~ t.4--, ,, » ,, ,, " ,, ,,,, 1 > "t • ' t..:' f!A . .r ,, "'.:11 ' "v" ~ ~\~ ~ L)I ~\.:I -gl '-?.~ ~ \.; "'" ir°~ <)ti , , ...(~ (:j ' . ,1 ·111 :' ~~ ./;:11 (fo-t, :~_,·•;.,.-) " ' { ~ -~~ u ~ ~ J ' ~And mention in the Book [the story of] Ibrahim [Abraham]. Verily, he was a man of truth, a prophet. When he said to his father: 'O' my father! Why do you worship that which hears not, sees not and can not avail you in anything? O' my father!

Verily, there has come tome of the knowledge, that which came not to you. So folfow me, I will guide you to the Straight Path. O' my father! Worship not the Shay(iin [Satan]. Verily, Shaytiin has ever been a rebel against the Most Beneficent [Allah].

O' my father! Verily I fear lest a torment from the Most Beneficent [Allah] should overtake you, so that you become a companion of Shay[iin [in Hellfire]) (Qur 'an 19: 41-45) 3. Allah ((~) says: ~O', you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, .or your kin, ... ~ (Qur 'an 4: 135) The above-stated verses indicate that there should be a place of honour in the son's heart towards his parents; that the first he advises, guides to the right path and directs, are those who are nearest [of kin] to him: his parents then his kith and kin, for guiding parents and directing them to Allah's path is of dutifulness to them. 4. Asma' hint Abi Bakr(~) 'may Allah be pleased with her', said: "My mother came to me during the life time of Allah's Messenger(~) and she was a mushrikah (polytheist) yet.

I said to Allah's Messenger - seeking his verdict- 'My mother has come to me and she desires to receive a reward from me, shall I grant her what she wanted and be kind towards her?'" The Prophet (~) said: "Yes, keep good relation with her. " 59 59 Al-Bukhari, See $alfi~ at-Targhib wat-Tarhib. 5. In another hadith Asma' hint Abi Bakr (~ ) said: "My mother came to me recently and she desired to receive a reward from me, and she was a mushrikah and she severely detested Islam." I said: "O' Messenger of Allah, my mother came to me and she detests Islam severely, she is a mushrikah, shall I keep good relations with her?" The Prophet (~) said: "Yes. Keep good relation with her. " 60 6.

Abu Hurayrah (~) said: "I always used to call my mother to embrace Islam when she was a mushrikah. One day, I tried to call her to embrace Islam, but she (instead) abused Allah's Messenger. Thereafter, I came to the Messenger of Allah (~) with my eyes shedding tears." I said: "O' Allah's Messenger, I used to call my mother to Islam and she used to refuse. Today, I called her (to Islam) and she talked obscenely about you, so, please pray to Allah to guide her to Islam. The Prophet said: "O' Allah, guide Abu Hurayrah's mother (to Islam).

Hearing that, I went out seeing good omen in the Prophet's invocation. When I reached the door (of my house), I found it closed. My mother heard the creaking of my feet, 60 Abu Dawiid, See Sa~iJJ at-Targhib wat-Tarhib. tlh.eireupon she said: 'Stay where you are, Abu Hura'Yrah·'· r eouid. hear the jogging of water (she was: taking. a. bath): He (Abu Hurayrah} said 'She bathed, tften,wore her mantle, but was so much in a hurcytowear her head veil, and quickly opened the door and said: 'O' Abu Hurayrah~ I bear witness that there irr no, god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger.'' " Abu Hurayrah said: "I returned joyfully to Allah's Messenger(~) and my e:yes shedding tears and said: 'O' Mes-senger of Allah, hear the glad tidings, Allah has just granted: you your invocation, and guided Abu Hurayrah's mother (to Islam).'" The Prophet (~) praised Allah and said nice words (on this occasion). I (Abu Hurayrah) then said: "O' Messenger of Allah, invoke Allah that believing people love my mother, and me and that we love them. The Prophet (~) then said: 'O' Allah let the believing slaves (Muslims) love this:bondman (Abu Hurayrah) and his mother, and make them love the believing people.

Thereafter, no Muslim ever hears about me or sees me but likes me.' " 61 7. Mu~'ab ibn Sa'd (~) narrated from his father (Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqa~) saying that some verses of the Holy Quran 61 Muslim, vol. 7 hadith no. 165. concerning him were revealed. He (Sa'd) said: "Sa"d's mother swore that she would never talk to him till he disbelieves in his religion; and she would never eat ec drink." She said: "You claim that Allah has enjoined on you to be dutiful to your parents, and 1 am your mot.her, and I command you to do this (i.e., disbelieve in Islam). She remained in that state (i.e., not eating nor drinking) for three· days, till she fll!nted out of exhaustion: A son of hers named 'Umarah provided her with water (then she drank), then she invoked for Allah's curse against Sa'd. Thereupon, Allah (~) revealed the following verses: ~A -. ,{ ~> .,,,,. .,. /.,,, •., ,.,.,,.,,,. ,,.,,:l.... ~And We have enjoined upon man goodness to parents .. ) (Qur 'an 29: 8) r4 ~~ ~ ;:J ~ ~ ~~ j ~ ~\ ~ 0~J ... , ~® ... t..,~ c;~, ~ 4;~~ ,~;=¥, ~ (\o :.:,L:......J .•.J_,....) •But if they encleavour to make you associate with Me, that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not, but behave kindly with them in the world.

Jt. (Qur 'an 31: 15) 62 62 Muslim, voL 7, hadith nos. 125 & 126. The Parents' favour to their children is great Abu Hurayrah C~) narrated that the Prophet (~) said: "A son (or daughter) would never recompense his/ her) parent's favour except when he or she (the son or the daughter) finds him/her (the parent) a slave, buys him/her, then manumits him/her). " 63 Abusing and cursing one's parents is a great sin I. 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-' A~(~) related: The Prophet (~ ) said: "It is of the greatest sins that a man curses his parents.

It was asked: 'O' Allah's Messenger! How does a man curse his (own) parents?' He said: 'The man abuses the father of another man, and then the latter abuses the father of the former, and abuses his mother, and then the latter abuses the former's mother.' " 64 2. In another hadith it is reported: 63 Muslim, vol. 4, hadith no. 218. Sa/fib al-Jami', hadith no. 7498. 64 Al-Bukhari, Muslim, and Abu Dawud. See Sabib at-Targhih wat-Tarhib.

"It is of the greatest sins that a man curses his parents." It was asked: "O' Allah's Messenger! How does a man curse his parents?'' He (~) said: "A man curses another man's father, and the latter curses his father or he curses another man's mother, and the latter curses his mother. " 65 3. 'Amir ibn Wiithilah (~) narrated: "I had been with 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (~) when a man came to him and said: 'What had the Prophet (~) told you secretly (before he died)?'" He ('Ali) got angry and said: "The Prophet had never told me anything secretly, to the exclusion of other people, but he had only told me four words (things)." The man said: "What are they, O' Commander of the believers?" He said that the Prophet (~) said: "May Allah curse him, he who curses his parents. May Allah curse him, the one who slaughters (as a sacrifice) for other than Allah.

May Allah curse him, who protects and supports an innovator in religion. And may Allah curse him, who changes the marks (that show the boundaries) of lands (in order to usurp the properties of other people). " 66 [These acts were done by the people of the Days of ignorance (pre-Islamic era), who were polytheists.] 65 Bukhari and Muslim. See Sa~1~ at-Targhib wat-Tarhib. 66 Muslim, vol. 6, hadith no. 84. 4. lbn 'Abbas (~) related that the Prophet (ffi) said: "Accursed is he who abuses his father. Accursed is he who abuses his mother.

Accursed is he who slaughters (as a sacrifice) for other than Allah. Accursed is he who changes the marks (or boundaries) of lands (to usurp others' lands unjustly). Accursed is he who misleads a blind person. Accursed is he who has sexual intercourse with a beast, and cursed is he who follows the act of the people of Lut (Lot)(~) (i.e., sodomy). " 67 The son is of his father's earnings 1.

Jabir ibn 'Abdullah(~) narrated that a man came to the Prophet (~ ) and said: "I have money and children, and my father wants to take my money by force. The Prophet said: 'You and your money are for (or under service of) your father.'" 2. 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'A~ (~) reported: "Once a nomad came to the Prophet and said: 'I own money and I have children, and my father wants to take my money (i.e., take it all).'" He (ffi) 67 Sa/Ji/J al-Jami', hadith no. 5767. said: "You and your money are for your father (i.e., under his service). Your children are the best of your earnings, so eat and benefit from your children's earnings. " 68 3.

'A'ishah, (~ ) related that the Prophet (~ ) said: "The best of that from which you could eat is that which you earned yourselves, and your sons are of your earnings. " 69 4. 'A'ishah, (~), narrated in another hadith: The best of that from which man could eat and benefit is from his earnings, and his son is (considered) of his earnings. 70 5. Yet in another hadith she (~ ) said [from the Prophet . (~)]: "The man's son is of his earnings, the best of his earnings, so eat of their money or properties (i.e., get benefit from them)." 71 6.

'Abdullah ibn 'Umar (~ ) reported: "A man came to the Prophet and said: 'O' Allah's 68 lrwq. ' al-Ghalil, hadith no. 838; Sa~i~ al-Jami ', hadith no. 1499. 69 Ibid, hadith no. 1626; Sa~i~ al-Jami', hadith no. 1562. 70 Ibid, hadith no. 838. 71 !fa~i~ al-Jami', hadith no. 6996. Messenger! My father took my money.' " The Prophet (~) gave him a credit, "You and your money are properties of your father." 72 7. In another report, Ibn 'Umar (~) related that the Prophet (~ ) said: "The son (off-spring} is of the father's earnings.

" 73 8. 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar (~ ) narrated: "A man came to the Prophet, GOmplaining against his father saying: 'He took my money."' The Prophet said: "Have you been informed that you and your money are of your father's earnings?" 74 Dutifulness to parents after their death 1. 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar (~) had a donkey. When he would leave for Makkah, he would change his ride to the donkey when he was tired of riding the camel. He had a turban which he used to wear on his head.

One day, while he was riding his donkey, a nomad came across him. 'Abdullah said: "Are you not the son of so and so?" The nomad said: 72 /rw< J · al-Ghan!, hadith no. 838. 73 Ibid, hadith no. 838; $abib al-Jami·, hadith no. 7039. 74 Silsilat al-Abadith ~-Sabibah, hadith no. 1548. "Yes, I am." 'Abdullah thereafter gave him the donkey and said, "Ride this," and gave him the turban and said, "Wrap your head with it." Some of his companions said to him: "May Allah forgive you, you gave this nomad the donkey which you used to ride when you felt tired of riding the camel, and the turban with which you used to wrap Y':mr head?" 'Abdullah said: "I heard Allah's Messenger(~) say: 'It is one of the most righteous deeds that a man should keep good relations with his father's friends and beloved ones after his death. The nomad's father was a friend for 'Umar (i.e., my father).' " 75 2. Abu Bardah stated: "I came to Madinah, then 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar came to me and said: 'Do you know why I have come to you.' Abu Bardah replied: 'No.' Then, he said: 'Whoever wants to keep good relations with his father, though he is in the grave, should keep good relation with his father's friends after his death.

And my father ('Umar) and your father used to be good friends, and I wanted to keep that relation.' " 76 3. 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar narrated that the Prophet(~) said: "It is of righteousness to keep good relation with your father's friends. " 77 75 Muslim, vol. 8, hadith no. 6. 76 Sa!Ji/J at-Targhib wat-Tarhib. 77 Sa/Ji/J al-Jami ', hadith no. 5777. Parents should raise their children well to make them righteous Abu Hurayrah (~) narrated that the Prophet (*) said: "When a man dies, his acts come to an end, with the exception of three: 'A recurring charity, knowledge from which people get benefited, and a pious son78 who prays for him.' " 79 2. Abu Qatadah (~) related that the Messenger of Allah (*) said: "The best three things a man could leave after his death are: 'A pious son who would pray for him (asks for Allah's forgiveness for him), a recurring charity the reward of which would go to him (i.e. the deceased) and knowledge by which people get benefited.' " 80 3.

Abu Hurayrah (~) reported that the Messenger of Allah (~) said: "Verily, the acts of which rewards follow the believer after his death are: 'Knowledge, which he 78 The Prophet said: 'Pious because rewards would not be gained through an evil son.' 79 Muslim, vol. 5, hadith no. 73, A~kam al-Jana 'iz, p. 176. 80 Ibn Miijah and others, refer to A~kam al-Jana 'iz, p. 176. taught and spread (among people), a pious son he left behind (alive to pray for him), a Holy Quran which he left as inheritance, a mosque which he built, a house for the wayfarer which he built, a canal he dug for water to flow through or a charity which he gave out of his wealth while healthy and alive, all these (by reward) follow him after his death.' " 81 4. lbn 'Abbas (•) reported that Sa'd ibn Ubadah (~) came to ask for Allah's Messenger's verdict. He (Sa'd) said: "My mother died before fulfilling a vow she made in her life, (what should I do?)." He (~ ) said: "You should fulfill it on her behalf. " 82 5. lbn 'Abbas (•) stated: 'A woman went on a journey by sea, and she made a vow that if Allah (~) saved her, she would observe fasting for a whole month. However, she did not fast till she died. A relative woman of hers (may be her sister or daughter) came to the Prophet (~ ) and told him the whole story.

He (~ ) s~id: "What do you say if she was indebted, would you pay back her debt?" The woman said: "Yes." He said: "Allah's debts have more right to be repaid; 81 lbn Majah and others, A~kam al-Jana 'iz, p. 176. 82 Bukhari and Muslim and others. Refer to A~kam al-l'and a 'iz, p. 170. Observe $awm (fasting) on your mother's behalf." 83 6. 'A'ishah, (~) narrated: "A man came to the Prophet (~ ) and said: 'My mother died suddenly and she had not had the power to write her will, and I think that if she had the power to talk, she would have given charities (of her money). Would there be any reward for her and me if I give out charities on her behalf?' ;, He replied: "Yes.

Give out charities on her behalf. " 84 7. lbn 'Abbas (~) reported: Sa'd ibn 'Ubadah's mother died while he was travelling away. He (Sa'd) said: "O' Allah's Messenger! My mother died while I was away, would it benefit her if I give out charities on her behalf?" He(~ ) said: "Yes." He (Sa'd) then said: - , I "Then bear witness that I have given the fruitful orchard (which she left behind) as a charity on her behalf. " 85 8.

Abu Hurayrah (~) related: "A man came to the Prophet and said: 'My father 83 Abu Dawiid and others. See A~kiim al-Janq 'iz, p. 169. 84 Bukhari and Muslim and others, See Abkam al-Janq 'iz, p. 172. 85 Bukhari and others. A~kiim al-Janq 'iz, p. 172. died and left some money behind, and he had not written a will, would it expiate that I give charities out on his behalf?' The Prophet said: 'Yes.' " 86 9. Buraydah (~) narrated: "Once, I was sitting with the Prophet (~) when a woman came and said: 'I have given my mother a slave-girl of mine, as a charity, then she (my mother) died. What about the slave girl?' He (~ ) said: 'You shall take your reward (for your charity) and you shall get her (the slave girl) back, because of 'the inheritance (law).' She said: 'O' Allah's Messenger, she died and she ought to have observed $awm (fasting) for one month, shall I observe Sawm on her behalf?' He said: 'Yes, fast on her behalf.' She said: 'She never performed I:Iajj, can I perform I:Iajj on her behalf?' He said: 'Yes.

Perform I:Iajj on her behalf.' " 87 10. Abu Hurayrah (~) reported that the Prophet(~) said: "A person's rank would be elevated in Paradise, and he would say: 'Why was I offered this honour?' It would be said (to him): 'This is due to your son's invocations for forgiveness for you.' " 88 86 Muslim and others. Abkam al-Jan~ "iz, p. l 72. 87 Muslim, vol. 3, hadith no. 156. 88 $abib al-Jami', hadith no. l 613 . Finally, dear Muslim brother and sister, you now know many of the Qur'anic verses that speak of the obligations of being dutiful to one's parents, and treating them kindly, and the verses that describe the Prophets' kind11ess towards their parents and how they invoked Allah ( ~) for their good. And you know now, through the Qur'anic verses and the hadiths, that dutifulness to parents is always joined with worshipping Allah(~).

Dutifulness to parents admits one to Paradise, for Allah's pleasure comes from parents' pleasure, and Allah's anger comes from parents' anger. Besides, undutifulness to parents is forbidden as stated in the Quran and the Prophet's Sunnah. Undutifulness to parents is also considered one of the greatest sins against which Allah's Messenger (~ ) warned us. Being kind to them admits us to Paradise by Allah's Will, for Paradise lies under their feet. We also knew that Parents ' invocations are certainly answered, and the parents' favour is very great on us.

The Prophet (~), forbade us from cursing or abusing our parents, and this is done by abstaining from abusing or cursing others' parents. The Prophet (*) affirmed that we are of our parents' earnings, and that we, ourselves, belong to them, as well as our properties. The Prophet (*) also commanded us to be dutiful to our parents after their death. and that is done by keeping good relation with their beloved ones. From all these, dear Muslim brother and sister, we learned from the Qur'anic verses and the Prophetic hadiths, that dutifulness to paren°ts is of paramount importance. Though even one verse commanding us to be dutiful to our parents, would suffice us and urge us to do so.

How is the case then, when there are many verses and Prophetic hadiths concerning this matter? You should, dear Muslim brother and sister, be dutiful to your parents and behave towards them as Allah (~) and the Prophet(~), enjoined on you; i.e., to behave well, giving them their rights, so that you could gain happiness in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah ( ~) says: (Y•\ :o~lo;_,.....) ~And there are mel). who say, 'Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good and save us from the Torment of Fire) (Qur 'an 2: 201) The last of our invocations is praise be to Allah(~ ), the Lord of the world (mankind, jinn, and all that exists). (,g) : Sub}J.anahu wa Ta 'ala - 'The Exalted' (~): $alla-Allahu 'Alayhi wa Sal/am - 'Blessings and Peace be upon him' (~ ): 'A/ayhis-Salam - 'May peace be upon him' (~): Raqia Allahu 'Anhu - 'May Allah be pleased with him' (~ ): Raqia Allahu 'Anha - 'May Allah be pleased with her' 'Alamin ~~ Lit.

Worlds, Universe; Mankind, Jinn and all that exists. Alif-Liim-Mim ti Abbreviated letters, the Muqat{a 'at, the exact meaning is known to Allah alone Dhalimf.m . , )U; I,) Sing. Dhalim; Polytheists, wrong doers, and disbelievers l:fukm ~ Lit. Command, authority; Religious knowledge, right judgement, ruling Insha' Allah Ji I .. w.;) If Allah Wills, Allah Willing Jihad .)~ Lit. Struggle, striving; Fighting in Allah's Cause Kha(ib ~ The one who delivers sermons Mas akin ..:#L....

Sing. Miskin; The poor Mu~sinun ~~ Sing. Mu~sin; Good doers, pious believers Mushrikun ~~.;:. Sing. Mushrik; Polythiests Nifaq '-'·u;, Hypocrisy $abir1n .:r...r; L.,.:, Sing.

Sabir; The patient ones $alah ._,J...p I .".)l..p Prayer Salam r')L.. Peace Sawm t.r" Fasting Zakah i\Sj I •.,S-.i Poor-due, a pillar of Islam - · • I a '-5 . I a I aa .__, b u t ;; h or t when followed by another Arabic word ~ th r: J l l:i ( kh ~ d ~ dh J r J z ~ s ~ ~ sh dh gh f q k J 1 i m n ~ - 0 - J h w J ( as a long vowel) u I oo y l? (as a long vowel) i I ee ' I (Omitted in initial position) I ' - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ---- ~ __:...__ _J / Fatl}.ah a / Kasrah 1 I)ammah u ' .,, Shaddah Double letter 0 Sukiin Absence of vowel