The real reward of serving the parents with thoughtful
attention is Paradise and the Good Pleasure of Allah, but the
Almighty bestows some special favour in this world too on
bondsmen who are devoted to their parents and care for their wishes
and comforts.
Jaabir radhiyallahu
anhu related to
us that the Apostle of
Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, Allah prolongs the life of
a person who obeys his parents and serves their devotedly'
Ibne 'Adee
COMMENTARY: Traditions like this are not inconsistent with
the doctrine of
predestination. It was known to Allah Taaalaa from
the beginning of the time that such-and-such a man will be kind and obedient to his
parents, and therefore, the span of life allotted to him was greater than what it would
have been otherwise.
All the Traditions in which tidings of abundance in
sustenance are given should,
also, be seen in the same light though prosperity or poverty too is
determined
beforehand.
Abdullah Ibne Umar radhiyallahu anhumaa relates that the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "Obey your parents and treat their with kindness, your children will be kind and obedient to you; and live with purity, your wives will stay pure."
Tabraani
Disoedience And Cruelty Towards Parents Is A Most Grievous Sin
In the same manner as the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam has declared that to serve one's parents well and keep them happy and in comfort is an act of exceptional virtue, he has condemned showing of disobedience to them or causing them pain and distress in any other way as a most serious and detestable sin.
Anas radhiyallahu anhu relates: (Once) the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam was asked about the major sins. He replied, 'To associate anyone with Allah; to disobey the parents and cause their pain or injury; to kill unlawfully; and to give a false evidence.'
Bukhaari
COMMENTARY: In another report, also in Bukhaari, the aforementioned acts have been condemned as 'the most deadly among the deadly sins'. The order in which the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam has set them forth shows that disregard and violation of the rights of parents is next in gravity only to polytheism, and even more serious than murder.