Opportunity to Earn Jannah (Paradise)

One of the most important acts of worship that the child is asked to do with regard to his parents is to obey them, to do as they ask and to refrain from what they tell him not to do.

So if his father tells him to do something, he hastens to do what he is told, and if he tells him not to do something, he hastens to give it up, so long as that does not involve any disobedience towards Allah and his Messenger, because there is no obedience to any created being if it involves disobedience towards the Creator.

Then he can make dua’ for them and pray for forgiveness for them, especially when they grow old and weak and are in need of someone to treat them kindly and take care of their needs.

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. And lower unto 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.”
(Al-Isra’: 23-24)

If your parents are alive, be grateful at the opportunity to earn Jannah by serving them.

Do you want Jannah?

In the famous hadith, a man came to the Prophet (saws) and said, O Messenger of Allah, how do I enter Jannah?  The Prophet (saws) said, “Is your mother alive?”  The man said, “Yes, she is alive.”  The Prophet (saws) said, “Find her feet and stick yourself [izlimha] to them; there you will find Jannah.”  This is an Arabic expression meaning “to lower and humble yourself to service your mother.”

Greatest Deed Versus Greatest Sin

Next time when you feel like shouting at your mom or answering back your dad or even not being bothered to go see them when they ask you to come visit them think about this:
Abu Bakrah Nufay’ ibn al-Harith said:  Allah’s Messenger (saws) asked us three times, “Shall I tell you the greatest sins?” We said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” He said, “Associating partners with Allah  (swt) and disobeying one’s parents.”

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam also said: Let him be humbled, let him be humbled, let him be humbled. It was said: Allah’s Messenger, who is he? He said, “He who accompanies his parents in old age, either one or both of them, but did not use their presence (by doing good to them, etc.) to cause him to enter Paradise.”  (Muslim).