Explanation of the Chapter from Riyaadh Saliheen: Pertaining being dutiful to the Parents & Upholding the ties of Kinship

The author, May Allah have mercy on him, said: chapter pertaining being dutiful to parents and upholding the ties of kinship.

The parents are the father and the mother. He expressed the right of parents by being dutiful to them as mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah. He also expressed upholding the ties of kinship as mentioned in the Quran and the Sunnah.

Being dutiful to parents is one of the best righteous deeds. It is the right which follows the right of Allāh and His Messenger.

The author, May Allah have mercy on him, mentioned many verses in this regard as Allāh says:

 “Worship Allāh and join none with Him (in worship); and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masākīn (the needy), the neighbor who is near of kin, the neighbor who is a stranger, the companion by our side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess.” [Sūrah An-Nisa’ 4:36]

And Allāh says:

“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents.“ [Sūrah An-Isra’ 17:23]

And Allāh says:

“And We have enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his parents.” [Sūrah Al-Ankabūt 29:8]

And Allāh says:

“And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years – give thanks to your parents and Me.” [Sūrah Luqman 31:14]

And Allāh says:

“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 honor. And lower to them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: “My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young.” [Sūrah Al-Isra’ 17:23-24]

All these verses refer to the greatness of the right of the parents. Allāh, the All-Mighty, stated the position of the mother who bears a child in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship. The mother suffers from childbearing till the delivery as Allāh says:

“His mother bears him with hardship. And she brings him forth with hardship.” [Sūrah Al-Ahqaf 46:15].

All of these verses indicate the great right of the mother.

Then Allāh, the All-Mighty, mentioned the worst case suffered by the parents, Allāh says:

“If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect,”

Because when the parents attain old age, they became weak and relied on their son. Thus Allāh E says:

 “And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life,”

So, do not say: “I am angry with you” but one should treat them gently and smoothly, nor shout at them when they speak. “Or both of them attain old age in your life, say not a word of disrespect” speak with them well for their prestigious positions.

94 pages / 5.5 x 8.5 softcover

Author: Imam an-Nawaawi

Explainer: Shaykh Muhammad bin Salih al-‘Uthaymin

Translator: Mustapha Abdul Hakim Lameu Misrī

Publisher: Maktabatulirshad Publications