Being kind and dutiful to parents does not stop once one or both of them dies. This continues even after their death. A man came to the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, and asked: O Messenger of Allaah! Is there any kindness or dutifulness that I can show to my parents after their death? He, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, replied: Yes. To supplicate for them, seek Allaahs forgiveness for them, fulfil their will and pledges after their death, keep on good terms with those who are not connected with you but through them, and show reverence to their friends. [Ahmad] The above narration urges a Muslim to be kind to his parents whether they are dead or alive. Such obedience occurs by invoking Allaahs forgiveness for them, fulfilling any covenants they made when they were alive, showing homage to their friends and keeping good relations with their relatives. Being Kind And Dutiful To Parents Even If They Are Non-Muslims No matter how different the religion of parents is from that of their children, they still love them (children) and the blood relation between them is never ignored. Muslims are commended to adhere to these Islamic instructions, and are also instructed to show gratitude to non-Muslim parents as long as they do not ask them to leave Islam or disobey Allaah, Allaah Says (which means): {But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not, but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and obedience. Then to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do.}[Quran 31:15]. Moreover, the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, instructed his companions to be dutiful to their non-Muslim parents. Asmaa Bint Abi Bakr, may Allaah be pleased with her, narrated: During the period of the peace treaty between Quraysh and Allaahs Messenger, my mother came to visit me, and she was a pagan. I consulted Allaahs Messenger, O Allaahs Messenger! My mother has come to me and she desires to receive a reward from me, shall I keep good relations with her? He, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said, Yes, keep good relations with her. [Al- Bukhaari and Muslim]
Posted on: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 09:25:39 +0000