Rights of Parents in Islam (Birr al-Walidayn)
Suggest editQuranic Emphasis
The rights of parents in Islam are second only to the rights of Allah. In multiple verses, Allah pairs the command to worship Him with the command to be good to parents: 'And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age while with you, say not to them so much as "uff" and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word' (Quran 17:23-24). The word 'uff' (a sound of annoyance) being prohibited demonstrates how high the bar of respect is.
The Mother's Special Status
A man came to the Prophet and asked: 'Who among people is most deserving of my good treatment?' He said: 'Your mother.' He asked: 'Then who?' He said: 'Your mother.' He asked: 'Then who?' He said: 'Your mother.' He asked: 'Then who?' He said: 'Your father' (Sahih al-Bukhari 5971). This hadith establishes that the mother is entitled to three times the consideration given to the father, reflecting the additional hardships of pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing.
Severity of Disobedience
The Prophet listed undutifulness to parents (uquq al-walidayn) among the greatest sins, alongside shirk and murder (Sahih al-Bukhari 2654). He said: 'The pleasure of Allah is in the pleasure of the parent, and the displeasure of Allah is in the displeasure of the parent' (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 1899).
Rights After Death
A person's duty to their parents continues even after their death: praying for them, seeking forgiveness for them, fulfilling their promises, honoring their friends, and maintaining ties with their relatives (Sunan Abu Dawud 5142).