Before we ever opened our eyes to the world, someone was already dreaming for us. Before we ever spoke a word, someone was already praying for us. Before we could walk, someone was carrying the weight of our future on their shoulders. That “someone” was our mother and father, our beloved parents. While our lives became busy and stressful, our parents always stood in the background as quiet pillars of strength without us even realizing it until it was too late. They bore our storms, held a roof over our heads during childhood with their wise advice, love, and nurturing, and they’ve grown older while watching us grow up.
They lose sleep so we can achieve our dreams and they give, they always give, not knowing how much it even costs them. Yet, today, society has conditioned us to never remain in the present and to always worry about the future. Because of this, we have started to ignore their aging hands or their silent sacrifices because we’re so distracted.
On Global Day of Parents, let’s take a moment to slow down, and reflect on what Islam has always taught us – that behind every truly successful believer is a mother’s dua and a father’s silent endurance. In The Quran, Allah (SWT) doesn’t simply recommend that we honor our parents, He (SWT) commands us time and time again.
The purpose of this article is to remind Muslim youth, and even adults whose parents are still alive, that our parents may be the doorway we are overlooking while searching for our path to Jannah.
In The Quran, Allah (SWT) speaks clearly of the exalted status of parents when He (SWT) says, “For your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And honor your parents. If one or both of them reach old age in your care, never say to them even ugh, nor yell at them. Rather, address them respectfully.” (The Clear Quran®, 17:23)
Think of the weight of this verse. Right after declaring the oneness of Allah (SWT), The Quran is pairing it with a second obligation – to show exemplary behavior towards your parents. What is this excellent behavior? It’s beyond kindness and patience, you must show ihsan towards them which is the highest level of goodness, where your actions are driven by love, care, and respect even when it is difficult.
Think about that. The Creator of the heavens and the earth placed obedience to Him next to honoring your mother and father. That’s not a coincidence. That’s your priority.
Islam has painted a deeply emotional portrait of what parenthood looks like. Allah (SWT) says in The Quran, “We have commanded people to honor their parents. Their mothers bore them in hardship and delivered them in hardship. Their period of bearing and weaning is thirty months. In time, when the child reaches their prime at the age of forty, they pray, ‘My Lord! Inspire me to always be thankful for Your favors which You blessed me and my parents with, and to do good deeds that please You. And instill righteousness in my offspring. I truly repent to You, and I truly submit to Your Will.” (The Clear Quran®, 46:15)
Behind every one of us there is a woman who bore nine months of pain, fear, and discomfort, and then years more of sleepless nights and sacrifices we may never see. But while mothers are the emotional backbone, fathers too carry a weight that’s just as heavy, albeit often more hidden. The long hours, the silent worries about bills and the future, the strength they show when they’re falling apart on the inside, it is all for their family.
Our parents have truly given us life in every sense of the word.
In addition to the beautiful verses in The Quran, the Prophet (SAW) has also made it a point to continuously mention the importance of our parents. Once, a companion asked the Prophet (SAW), “Who is most deserving of our companionship?” The Prophet (SAW) then replied, “Your mother.” The man then asked, “Then who?” Again, the Prophet (SAW) replied with, “Your mother.” After asking a final time, the Prophet (SAW) responded with, “Your father.”
In another narration, the Prophet (SAW) has said, “Paradise lies at the feet of your mother.” (Sunan al-Nisa’i)
On the other hand, the Prophet (SAW) has said about our fathers that, “The father is the middle gate of Paradise so keep to this gate or lose it.” (Sunan ibn Majah)
These teachings are educating us on the value of accountability. Our treatment of our parents has a direct impact on our Hereafter, so how are we going to make the most of it?
Like we mentioned in the introduction, this article has been created for the youth and for the adults whose parents, Alhamdulillah, are still alive. To our hardworking youth, your parents will not always understand your world because their livelihoods were vastly different from yours. But what’s incredible about that is they still love you unconditionally. That frustration when you don’t listen? That constant checking your location just to make sure you’re okay? It may seem very irritating, but that’s the purest and highest form of love that you don’t really find anywhere else except in the warmth of your parents.
The world celebrates entrepreneurs and influencers, but Islam teaches us that the real legacy lies in the smile you bring upon your mother’s face, or the respect in your tone when you speak to your father. The Prophet (SAW) has said, “The pleasure of the Lord is in the pleasure of the parent, and the anger of the Lord is in the anger of the parent.” (Sunan ibn Majah)
In an age of self-promotion, make honoring your parents your quiet revolution.
To the adults, yes, we may be older now. The roles have reversed. We’re the caretakers while they forget names, lose energy, or simply sit in silence, waiting for a visit. Some of us are also grieving the loss of our parents, longing for one more chance to say “I love you,” or “Thank you.” But Islam tells us: it’s never too late. If your parents have passed, you can still honor them! The Prophet (SAW) said, “A righteous child who prays for him is among the deeds that continue to benefit a person after death.”
Give sadaqah in their name. Fulfill their promises. Visit their friends. And above all, make the dua, “And be humble with them out of mercy, and pray, ‘My Lord! Be merciful to them as they raised me when I was young.’” (The Clear Quran®, 17:24)
If there’s one truth this article hopes to remind you of, it’s this: your parents are not permanent. Their footsteps will one day fade. Their voices will fall silent. And all that will remain are memories and the regrets of what you didn’t say or do. So don’t wait. Don’t wait for just Eid or a funeral to wake up and realize the importance of your parents. Give immense shukr to Allah (SWT) today. Hold their hand, ask for their dua, honor them with your actions that show immense love, respect, and knowledge that through them, Allah (SWT) brought you into this world.
May Allah (SWT) bless our parents, forgive their shortcomings, increase us in gratitude, and unite us with them in Jannat ul Firdaus. Ameen!
