Filial Piety in Islam: Treating Your Parents with Kindness

Dina Essawy

03 Sep 2018

Gratitude towards our parents is something that all of us should feel. After all, they have spent the better part of their lives trying to raise us into who we are today. Islam is very conscious of this and, therefore, stresses that children should always be obedient to their parents and treat them with the respect and kindness that they are due, especially as they get older and become more dependent on their children for support.

"And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, afford 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." [Al-Isra, 23]

Moreover, mothers have been bestowed with even more favor in Islam, due to their dedication and unconditional love for their children. There is a saying among Muslims that “heaven lies below a mother's feet”.

A man came to the Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship? The Prophet (PBUH) said: Your mother. The man said, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: Then your mother. The man further asked, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: Then your mother. The man asked again, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: Then your father. [Bukhari, Muslim]

Filial piety also extends to the rest of your family, with whom you should always maintain a good relationship regardless of circumstances.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him show hospitality to his guest; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him maintain good relation with his kin; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent."

You can learn more about Treating Parents in our Free Islamic Etiquette Course.

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