Islam is a complete way of life. It considers the family the corner stone of
Islamic society. It bases the atmosphere in the family on sacrifice, love,
loyalty, and obedience. When we say "family" we mean the traditional definition
of it namely husband, wife and children. Grandparents are also part of the
extended Muslim family.
It may be asked here: how does Islam organize family relationships? To answer
this we have to concentrate on: husband wife relationship and parent children
relationship. As for husband wife relationship the following verse portrays the
right Islamic atmosphere. And among his signs is this: He created for you
spouses from yourselves that you might find rest in them, and He ordained
between you love and mercy. (30-21)
The Prophet of Islam (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) also stressed these meanings
when he said: (The best among you are those who are best to their families and I
am the best of you to my family). He once exclaimed: (it is only the evil one
who abuses them (women) and the honored one is he who honors them). Once a man
came to the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) and asked: who is the person
who is most worthy of my good companionship? (The Prophet answered your mother,
your mother, your mother then your father). That is why Islam made Paradise
under the feet of mothers according to one tradition of the Prophet (Sallallaahu
Alayhi Wasallam)
If we contemplate the Quran we find that it refers to parents children
relationships in four main places. Before it asks children to be good and loyal
to their parents it requires parents to be extremely careful in upbringing their
children. In other words it asks parents to do their duty before asking for
their rights.
Let us contemplate the following verses of the Quran: In the chapter called
Luqman (No.31) God says: And surely We gave Luqman wisdom saying Give thanks
unto Allah; for whosoever gives thanks, he gives thanks for his soul. And
whoever disbelieves, Allah is All-Independent, Worthy of Praise. And when Luqman
said to his son while he was exhorting him: O my dear son! Ascribe no partners
unto Allah. Lo! To ascribe partners (unto Him) is a tremendous wrong. And we
have enjoined upon man to be careful of his parents, His mother bears him in
weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years, so give thanks to Me
and to your parents, for unto Me is the journeying. But if they strive with you
to make you ascribe to Me as partner that of which you have no knowledge, then
obey them not, but deal with them nicely in the world and follow the path of him
who repents to Me. Then unto Me will be your return, and I shall tell you of
what you used to do.
The Quran then continues: O my son! Lo! Though it be but the weight of a grain
of mustard seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens or in the earth,
Allah will bring it forth. For Allah is Subtle, Aware. O my son! Establish
prayer, enjoin goodness, forbid iniquity and bear with patience whatever may
befall you. For that is the steadfast heart of things. Turn not your cheek in
scorn towards people, nor walk the earth with pretenses, for Allah loves not
each braggart boaster. Be modest in your bearing and subdue your voice for Lo!
The harshest of all voices is the voice of the ass (31: 12-19).
These verses provide Muslim parents with the way they should bring up their
children, unless they do so, they can expect rebellion and hatred from them; but
the devoted parents have full right to what the following verses from chapter 17
enjoin. In this chapter called the Night Journey Allah says: Your Lord has
decreed that you worship non but Him, and that (you show) kindness to parents.
Should one or both of them attain to old age with you, Say not "Fie" unto them
nor repulse them, but speak unto them a gracious word. And lower unto them the
wing of submission through mercy and say: My Lord! Have mercy on them both as
they did care for me when I was little. Your Lord is best aware of what is in
yourselves. If you are righteous, then Lo! He was ever forgiving unto those who
turn unto Him. (17: 23-25).
These are the two main chapters of the Quran that decide and clearly depict the
Islamic relationship between parents and their children. It is a relationship
based as we see on belief in Allah, and feeling that He observes all what we do
and that we are accountable to Him even in the bad breath that we may release
against our parents when we are angry. Even this has to be controlled.
Let us remember, however, that it is only parents who do their duty, who deserve
this honorable treatment of their children. That is why when a parent came to
the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) and complained to him about the
ingratitude of his son, the son said: He was ungrateful to me O Messenger of
Allah, before I showed ingratitude to him. So the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi
Wasallam) did not blame the son but disliked the attitude of his parent. This is
a message to all parents.
The third place in the Holy Quran that refers to parents-children relationship
is in chapter 46 called Al Ahqaf where Allah says: And we have enjoined unto man
kindness toward parents. His mother bears him with reluctance and delivers him
with reluctance. His bearing and weaning are thirty months, till when he attains
full strength and reaches forty years, he says: My Lord! Arouse me that I may
give thanks for the favour where with you have favoured me and my parents, and I
may do right acceptable unto you. And be gracious unto me concerning my seed. I
have turned unto you repentant and Lo! I am one of Muslims.
Concerning this type of children the Quran has the following comment: those are
they from whom We accept the best of what they do, and We overlook their evil
deeds among the owners of Paradise. This is the true promise, which they used to
be promised (in the world).
The Quran then turns to the other category of children who are disbelievers and
are as a result ungrateful to their parents. It declares: As for him who said to
his parents: Fie upon you both! Do you threaten me that I shall be brought forth
when generations before me have passed away! While they too cry unto Allah for
help and say: Woe unto you! Believe! Lo! The promise of Allah is true. But he
said: This is nothing but fables of the men of old.
Commenting on this attitude Allah says: Such are those whom the Word concerning
nations of Jinn and mankind which have passed away before has effect. Lo! They
are the losers. And for each there will be degrees due to what they did; and He
may recompense them in full for their deeds! And they will not be wronged. (46:
15-19).
The forth and last place in the Quran that refers to parents children
relationship is what is mentioned briefly in chapter 29 that says: "We have
enjoined on man kindness to parents. And should they strive to make you join
with Me that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not. Unto me is your
return and I shall tell you what you used to do". (29:8).
This verse refers mainly to the unbelieving parents who still have the rights of
obedience on their Muslim children unless they ask them to rebel against Allah.
In this case they should not be obeyed, but doing good to them should continue
regardless of the difference of religion.
In conclusion since the family is the corner stone of society, happiness and
prosperity will only be achieved if parents as well as children are committed to
the guidance of the Quran, the only guidance proved to be successful.
For in that case all will fulfil their duties and rights in the most
satisfactory manner as we have seen earlier.
Dr. Arafat el-Ashi, Canada


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