Rights of Parents

By: SayyidTaqi Hakim

Translated by: NayyerehTowhidi

Excerpts from “Lesson from the School of Imam Sadiq(AS)”

In a Hadith from the Infallible, we read: “It is among the parents rights over one is to be thankful to them in all conditions, to obey them in all their orders and/or inhibitions except where disobedience to Allah is involved and to be well-wisher to them both in public and in privacy.”

Obviously, the rights parents have over us are indisputable, firm and natural. These rights are admitted by every fair-minded one of every creed and faiths inferred from Divine teachings; modesty, kindness and politeness towards one’s parents are prerequisites of being able to fulfill one’s duties towards one’s parents by the help and grace of Allah.

The Rights of Children

As a matter of fact, Islam teaches us that a child’s right over its father start not upon his/her birth, but before the birth, as inferred from the numerous Ahadith on this regard, including the following: “Among a child’s rights upon it’s father is that, the father should select it’s mother from a chaste honorable family, that the father should give it a good name and that the father should Endeavour to raise the child properly.”

Companionship

Imam As-Sadiq (AS) says, “Avoid the companionship of the mean, for their companionship will not result in any good.”  This Hadith from the Infallible Imam teaches us that one should be very careful in selecting friends and companions and should make friend with those who prove to be honest, well-wisher and God-fearing and should refuse the companionship of and friendship with those who are devoid of integrity, benevolence and truthfulness.

The Most Rewarding Worship

Imam Sadiq(AS), “The most reward-worthy ‘Ibadah’ (act of worship) is to get to know Allah and to humble oneself to Him.” As inferred from this illuminating Hadith, the one who gets to know her/his Creator – Allah – the One  and Only God will feel her/himself humble towards Him,  trying hard to be obedient to Him, and purifying her/himself for getting closer and closer to Him, thus attaining salvation.

Zakat on Knowledge

Imam Sadiq(AS) says, “For everything there is a Zakat and the Zakat for knowledge is to teach it to the worthy ones.” From the above and other Divine teachings, we conclude that each the Almighty Allah gives us, has a certain Zakat and paying it protects the blessing and also brings about an increase in that blessing. Knowledge is according to the Infallible a blessing for which one should be thankful to Allah by acting upon the knowledge and also by teaching it to those who deserve it, thus paying the Zakat on one’s knowledge.

Aids for the Faithful

Imam Sadiq(AS) says, “Truly knowledge is as the friend of the faithful, tolerance is as their supporter, patience is as the commander of their forces, sociability is as their brother and gentleness is as their father.”

The praiseworthy qualities mentioned in the above Hadith are indeed needed by everyone who desires to live a fruitful, fulfilling life in this world, which life will be followed by the otherworldly life (of eternal bliss and peace), desired by the faithful. So one has to struggle to attain such desirable attributes and also to lead the others towards the same goodness, otherwise feelings of helplessness, and frustration will overcome one.

Loved by the Infallible

Imam Sadiq(AS), “Truly we love the one who is wise, knowledgeable, understanding, learned in knowledge of the religion, tolerant, forbearing, patient, truthful and loyal.”

No doubt, good people are loved and respected by good ones and those who are very good are particularly loved and revered by the pious and the virtuous and in the same vein, those who excel in good qualities win the love and respect of the exalted teachers of humanity, namely the Infallible – Allah’s Messengers (AS) and their rightful successors – the Infallible Imams (AS), as pointed out in the above-mentioned Hadith. Really blessed are those who attain such an enviable statues.

Prosperity and Longevity

Imam Sadiq(AS) says, “Doing good and being good-tempered brings prosperity to lands and longevity (to the people).”

Sure behind every phe4nomenon, there are certain causes and as inferred from this Hadith, if the people of a land are good, fair and benevolent towards each other, Allah will grant them bliss and felicity in this world’s life, besides in the Hereafter and vice versa.

Retribution

Imam Sadiq(AS) says, “Do good to your parents so your children will do good to you and conduct chastely the other people’s women so your own women will enjoy chastity.”

Without any doubt, in accordance with Allah’s rule each person will be given retribution for her/his good as well as s bad deeds in both worlds. Thus, the one who is God-forbid disobedient, disrespectful and unkind towards his parents cannot expect to receive kindness and desirable behavior from her/his children, since Divine retribution will come in the form of harsh inconsiderate and impolite behavior of her/his children. Likewise, as inferred from this Hadith, any man who cares about the honour and chastity of his female relatives, including his wife and/or daughters should avoid the least unchaste conduct towards the other women.

Foul Language

Imam Sadiq(AS) says, “Foul language is part of oppression and oppression leads to the fire.”

Obviously, a polite person who speaks nicely is respected by everybody, because he does not make anybody resent him and for sure he will also receive the rewards for his politeness from Allah in the hereafter, and likewise an abusive person who hurts the others through foul language will incur their hatred in this world and will also suffer Divine chastisement in the other world.

Salam (Salutation)

Imam Sadiq(AS) says, “The one who precedes in salutation (who salutes first) is closer to Allah and to His Messenger.”

Clearly our Divine leaders have aimed at teaching the people how to live properly – teaching us good manners, both individual and social, themselves serving as best models through their decent, praiseworthy conducts including saluting the others which is among Islamic, fraternity – oriented manners. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) according to all narrations was invariably the one who proceeded in uttering Salam (salutations). His Holiness was always the one who said Salam to the others before the others said Salam to His Holiness.  So to be truly modest, we too should try to copy this supreme model.

Sadaqah(Charitable, Benevolent Deeds)

Imam Sadiq(AS) says, “Start your day with Sadaqah, for Sadaqah serves as a shield against calamities.”

Sadaqah, means giving away and/or doing good benevolent deeds in the way of Allah. Regarding giving away in the way of Allah, there are certain Ahadith, telling us, among others that it leads to increase property. Sadaqah includes also benevolent actions such as removing an obstacle or a stumbling block from the way if one’s brothers.

Division of Works

Imam Sadiq(AS) says, “Do your major works yourself and you can leave minor trivial ones to the others.”

A wise, prudent person for sure knows that though he needs to divide works and is unable to do all things on his own, yet he also knows that he should do his significant works himself because otherwise disorder will occur. The above Hadith is a truly enlightening guideline in connection with division of labour and responsibilities.