Question
Could you please shed light on the importance of showing respect towards one’s parents in the light of the Qur’an and Hadith keeping in mind the rude behavior of children of the present times?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Brother, we do really appreciate your question, which shows how far are you interested in getting yourself well-aquatinted with Islam and its teachings. May Allah bless your efforts in the pursuit of knowledge!
Answering your question, Sheikh Muhammad Saleh Al-Munajjid, a prominent Saudi Islamic Lecturer and author, states:
“One of the main duties upon man is to show kindness towards his parents because Allah the Almighty says:
“Thy Lord has decreed, that you worship none save Him, and (that you show) kindness to parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age with thee, say not ‘Fie’ unto them nor repulse them, but speak unto them a gracious word.” (Al-Isra’: 23)
One should show all kinds of good treatment to one’s parents. Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was once asked about the best deeds: "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) says, ‘Having faith in Allah and His Messenger, then honoring one’s parents." (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Obeying and honoring one’s parents is a means of entering Paradise. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) quoted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying:
"He is doomed, he is doomed, he is doomed." Then someone said,
"Who, O Messenger of Allah?" He said, "The person whose parents, one or both of them, reach old age during his lifetime but he does not enter Paradise." (Reported by Muslim)
Respecting and obeying one’s parents is a way of showing gratitude to them for bringing one into this world. So, a child has to show gratitude towards his parents for rearing him and taking care of him when he was young. Allah the Almighty says,
"And We have enjoined upon man concerning his parents. His mother beareth him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Give thanks unto Me and unto thy parents. Unto Me is the journeying.” (Luqman: 14)
When a person gives his parents due regard, his own children will do the same to him. Allah Almighty says, "Is there any reward for good other than good?" (Ar-Rahman: 60)
There are many ways in which one can show parents kindness and respect, paying them a visit is one of the forms of dutifulness to parents, in addition to treating them well, addressing them politely, trying to humble oneself before them, giving them gifts, and so on.”
Excerpted, with slight modifications, from
www.islam-qa.com
May Allah guide you to the straight path and direct you to what pleases Him, Ameen.