Hadith #436

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

بِرُّوا آباءَكُمْ يَبََرَّكُمْ أبْناؤُكُمْ۔

This can be translated as

Be good to your parents and your children will be good to you.

This enlightening saying emphasizes the importance of treating our parents with kindness and respect, as it will have a positive impact on our own children.

Let us delve deeper into the words of this Hadith. The word (birru) "بِرُّوا" comes from the root word (bir) "بَرّ", which means goodness, righteousness, and kindness. It encompasses acts of obedience, respect, and care towards our parents. It goes beyond mere material support and includes fulfilling their emotional and spiritual needs as well.

The word (aba'akum) "آباءَكُمْ" refers to our fathers, and (abna'ukum) "أبْناؤُكُمْ" refers to our children. These words highlight the generational cycle of goodness. When we treat our parents with kindness, we set an example for our children to follow. They observe our behavior and learn the values of respect, gratitude, and compassion.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is in perfect harmony with the teachings of the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of honoring and obeying our parents. In Surah Al-Isra (17:23-24), Allah says:

And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, 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. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, 'My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.'

This ayah highlights the significance of treating our parents with utmost respect and kindness. It instructs us not to even express the slightest annoyance towards them and to speak to them in a noble manner. It also emphasizes humility and supplicating to Allah for His mercy upon our parents.

Furthermore, in Surah Luqman (31:14), Allah says:

And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.

This ayah reminds us of the tremendous sacrifices our parents make for us, especially our mothers. It urges us to be grateful not only to Allah but also to our parents for their love, care, and nurturing.

The consequences of fulfilling the commandment of being good to our parents are profound. When we treat our parents with kindness and respect, we create an environment of love and harmony within our families. Our children witness this and are more likely to emulate these values in their own lives. They will grow up with a deep sense of gratitude and a desire to reciprocate the love and care they received from their parents.

On the other hand, neglecting or mistreating our parents can have detrimental effects on our children. They may witness our disrespectful behavior and learn to disregard the rights of their own parents. This can lead to a breakdown in family relationships and a lack of empathy and compassion in future generations.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the immense responsibility we have towards our parents and the impact it has on our children. It serves as a reminder to Muslims of all backgrounds, Shia and Sunni alike, to prioritize the well-being of our parents and to strive to be the best examples for our children.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to fulfill the rights of our parents and raise righteous children who will continue the cycle of goodness. And may He shower His blessings upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.