During the month of mercy, Ramadan, we wanted to create a series of article reminders on the attributes of parents. Parents are an everyday blessing where we see them, be close to them and cherish them. The feeling of gratitude pre-coronavirus and during the coronavirus pandemic where parents are our source of hope and strength. Their soothing words. The ability to push you to bounce forward from failure. The ability to believe in you when no one does. This is love.
In the Glorious Quran, Allah (The Most High) states: “And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents. In travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in two years was his weaning. Show gratitude to Me and thy parents; to Me is thy final goal” [The Quran, Surah Luqman, 31:14] The verse suggests the level of gratitude that one has towards Allah (The Most High) is just as important to parents. When we become grateful to Allah (The Most High), it is considered as an act of worship (Ibadah) which holds many rewards and gratitude to parents is also an opportunity to gain rewards. Alhamdulilah, our parents have sacrificed and tried to ensure my siblings and; I gain the basic needs but strive to give their best to make us happy. If your parents are alive, alhamdulillah serve them and take care of them as a responsibility and feelings of love. If your parents are not, this month is an opportunity for you to address them during your supplications and to think of the memories you hold between the parent-child code of behaviour and attitude. The honourable position of parents is presented in various verses of the Quran and Hadith. The whole purpose of the Abbas Foundation Trust is to remind the importance of parents. There are many qualities of parents, however, we will focus on four: love, mercy, patience and yaqeen of parents. In every religion, race, ethnicity and creed, a great emphasis and status are made about parents. We are forever indebted to our parents. Today, I will be discussing the love of parents for their children. What is love? What do we mean by the love given by our beloved parents? Love is a sentimental feeling given by people who love each other. It is stabilized by commitment, care, understanding, communication, and sacrifice. The love of parents cannot be measured nor weighed. When parents raise us with love, we become connected with people and make a positive difference by taking care of them and ourselves today and every day. We become indulged with happiness. Have you ever discovered the reason why each year more focus is being displayed on Mother’s Day and Father’s day than other relations? It is because of the unlimited love and; affection parents give to their offspring. Our mothers have undergone pain during labour, nourished us via the placenta to her womb and breastfeeding our aftermath. Before she knew what we looked like and what gender we were, she was more excited that a bundle of joy was going to exist. Sleepless nights. Belly kicks. Providing us various forms of needs from spiritual, morally, intellectually, socially, and emotionally. This is love. The ability to listen, their time, care, sacrifice and commitment are all elements of what makes loves and what makes love stronger between the family. The unlimited love that each parent provides their child and cherish them in their positive attributes and their flaws creates a happy environment for them with care and pushing their potential is a responsibility. Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah have mercy upon him) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Every one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. The leader of people is a guardian and is responsible for his subjects. A man is the guardian of his family and he is responsible for them. A woman is the guardian of her husband’s home and his children and she is responsible for them. The servant of a man is a guardian of the property of his master and he is responsible for it. No doubt, every one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock.” [Hadith, Sahih Al-Bukhari 7138, Sahih Muslim 1829] The love of parents is also presented in their teachings to love Allah (The Most High), the pillars of faith (Imaan) and Islam and the principles that underlie them. Many parables of the Prophets (may Allah have mercy upon them) are sources of inspiration paving the pathway to guidance. This also inspired me to do the same with my children (if Allah wills at the time He thinks is best). Many of the Prophets (peace be upon them) and the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophets peace and blessings be upon him) presented love to their children. An example of this relationship is between Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his youngest daughter Fatima (may Allah have mercy upon her) from his beloved wife Khadijah (may Allah have mercy upon her). The character of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is exemplified throughout time. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) narrated: “Indeed among the believers with the most complete faith is the one who is the best in conduct and the most kind to his family” [Hadith, Al-Tirmidhi] An optimised approach is required to ensure both parents and children fulfil their duties. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was not only lovable and merciful towards his children, grandchildren but anyone whom he met. Fatima (may Allah have mercy upon her) visited our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) a lot and; she would greet him with love and; he made her sit in his position. This was the same atmosphere when he visited her house. These simple acts highlighted the profound love between them. She embodied qualities of generosity, humility, courage and selflessness who cared for the young and the old, the poor and needy and; would often give her food away even if she would go hungry herself. It was narrated by Aisha (may Allah have mercy upon her) who said: "I have not seen anyone who resembled the Prophet s.a.w in terms of words, speech and manners, more than Fatimah" Aishah continued, "When the Prophet saw her coming, he would greet her and then he would stand up for her, kissed her, took her hand and brought her to sit in his place. When the Prophet s.a.w visited her, she would greet him, stood up for him, and kissed him.” [Hadith, Al-Bukhari] The Prophet (peace be upon him) described her as one of the four best women in the entire world. Another example of the love between a parent and child was when the remains of a slaughtered animal were thrown on the back of the Prophet (peace be upon him) whilst prostrating. With courage at ten years old, Fatima removed these remains and defended her father silencing the bullies. She also witnessed the hardships faced by her siblings who left their homes due to Quraysh’s persecution. Fatima alongside her husband, Ali worked hard to provide for their children: Al-Hasan and Al-Hussain. She also nursed the wounded and other humanitarian roles in the Battles of Uhud and the Trench - this presents the strength and piety of Fatima's character. After her father passed away, she died five months later at the tender age of 29. During this period, she was burning of the deep love and departure and remained in solitude. Many of the respected scholars mentioned that she died as a martyr. Another example of the love of parents is Luqman ibn Sadun (Ibn Jarir and Al-Qutaibi) who advised his son with love. Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy upon him) mentioned in his book that Luqman was a wise and pious man from Aylah to – present-day Jerusalem. It was said that one day he preached to a man and someone said: “Aren’t you the slave of so and so who used to look after my sheep not so long in the past?” Luqman said: “Yes!” The man said: “What raised you to this high state I see?” Luqman said: “The Divine Decree, repaying the trust, telling the truth and discarding and keeping silent regarding what does not concern me.” In another narration, ibn Wahb said regarding his status : “Lowering my gaze, watching my tongue, eating what is lawful, keeping my chastity, undertaking my promises, fulfilling my commitments, being hospitable to guests, respecting my neighbours, and discarding what does not concern me. All these made me the one you are looking at.” One of the pieces of advice he gave to his son was to be a better Muslim by believing in Allah (The Most High) before taking care of the parents – a form of love or application of love where one must be kind. He advised that the mother is an element of mercy who makes several sacrifices in 31:14. The first few years when we exist in the world as inconsolable baby, she nursed us, countless hours of no sleep and endured so much pain, who tries to help us be the best version throughout adulthood. The genuine advice and integrity given by the parents increase our morality and faith. Another piece of advice given to his son is to pray, be patient and be strong. “O my son, establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, [all] that is of the matters [requiring] determination.” [Quran, Surah, Luqman, 31:17] Therefore, the art of love of parents to their children is expressed in different ways. Children observe, absorb and process what is taught and; parents are the building blocks of the future. Cherish your parents for their unlimited love can fill your atmosphere.
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Hafsa and NajibLearn together the beautiful status of parents in Islam on the blessed month of Ramadan Archives
May 2021
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