The moment a baby is born, parents are also born. Parents are the most precious blessing of Allah. They are the luckiest people in this world who have their parents alive. Those who go about calling the beautiful words “Abu” and “Ami” should be thankful to God. Parents are like a pillar, a shade, the biggest support of our lives. The depth of the love of parents for their children cannot be measured.
A father acts as guardian of the kinfolk and shapes the characters of members of the family. He is the unsung hero and the pillar of the house. Fathers are generally men of few words. They don’t express their feelings often. But does that make them less important? No! His silent stress on justice and his tendency to observe and enforce systematic discipline creates good character in children. A mother manages everything with elegance and delicacy. The love of the mother is matchless. She holds the beads together and strings the beautiful necklace of the family. Together, they bring up their offspring as a gardener does a garden. They have the utmost importance not only in our personal lives but also in our professional lives.
Our parents are our heroes. Nobody on this earth is as faithful as parents are to their children. They do all they can and never ask for returns. They are the best examples of unconditional and irrevocable love. Parents devote their whole life to bringing up their children. They understand their language, their needs when a baby cannot even talk. They sacrifice their own needs, wishes, dreams and desires for the sake of providing a secure and happy future to their children. But when children give them in return disrespect, disobedience, rudeness and no importance, it is the biggest misfortune. Never forget that parents are the most valuable gift and the shadow of Allah for children.
Allah says in the Quran: “And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour.” (Quran 17:23)
One of the ways to make our parents happy is to listen to and obey their orders. We should stay away from the things they tell us to stay away from, so as they only forbid us for our good, not for their own interest.
Some of the biggest problems and issues faced by parents today include loneliness, boredom and isolation. This kills them. We leave our parents to the mercy of God. We do not spend time with them. Love your parents, as they loved you in your childhood. If a thorn pricks you, it pricks them in the heart. Imagine you are the mother/father and think what you would expect from your child, and in the same way treat your parents. We should value and always try to keep them happy before it is too late and we are left empty-handed, regretting our deeds. We can get everything back or find a replacement for anything in this world, except parents.
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “Every righteous child who casts a look of mercy and affection upon his parents shall be granted, for every look of his rewards, equivalent to that of an accepted Hajj.”
Therefore, it is our duty to respect parents, look after their health, value their opinions and decisions, and be a support to them. We should realise our responsibilities and maintain a healthy relationship with parents. These things can help us attain their blessings, which is the real asset of life. May Allah give us the strength to take care of our parents the way they took care of us when we were helpless and may Allah bless our parents with good health and righteous long life. Aameen.

[email protected]

Shaista Amin