How to Be Kind To Your Parents by Ibraahim ibn saaleh al-mahmud

How To Be Kind To Your PARENTS By Ibraahim Ibn Saaleh al-Mahmoud 6
Table of Contents Intoduction Fear of Disobeying One's Parents Ingratitude and Denial 5 8 14 The First Case 15 The Second Case 17 The Third Case 17 The Fourth Case 18 Different Attitudes 20 Some Advice to a Disobedient Person 23 You are Simply Being Paid 25 for What You Did 25 Shining Examples 28 The First Example 28 The Second Example 28 The Third Example 29 The Fourth Example 29 The Fifth Example_ 30 The Sixth Example 30 The Seventh Example The Eighth Example 31 31 3
Then, Allah mentions the rights due to one's parents. He says, (and that you show kindness to parents), that is, shower on your parents kindness, affection and piety, both in words and deeds. They are the cause of your existence, and their rights are binding upon you! Parents' love and kindness were showered on the child when he was helpless, so could the child do anything less than to bestow similar tender care on the parents, (if one of them or both of them attain old age in your life)? That is, if they should reach old age, their health would become poor and they would be helpless, and so need your kindness and care, so, (say not to them a word of disrespect), that is, do not treat them with harm. (Nor shout at them), by swearing at them or using bad language, (but speak to them a gracious word), by using words that they like, and by being gentle and kind when talking to them, because that will make them happy and cheerful. (And lower unto them the wing of submission through mercy), that is, one must approach his/her parents with gentle humility and mercy, seeking Allah's reward, not out of fear for them, nor to gain any benefits from them. And (say: "My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy), that is, invoke Allah to shower His Mercy on them, both while they are alive and after their death, as a compensation for looking after us when we were little. Accordingly, the more care a child gets from his/her parents, the more rights they deserve. Also, whoever looks after and cares for a child in regard to his/her livelihood and religion, other than his or her parents, would have a right over him/her when that child grows up. Allah says, (and We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him 9
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