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The Rights of Parents
A) Doing Good:
“And your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him and (to show) kindness to parents, if one of them or both of them reach old age with you, do not say to them ‘fie’, nor repulse them, and speak to them a gracious word. And out of compassion, lower unto them the wing of humility, and say: ‘My Lord! Have mercy on them both as they cherished me when I was little.”1
“And (He has made me) kind to my mother, and He has not made me arrogant unblessed. And peace be on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive.”2
“And kindness to his parents and (unto the people) he was neither insolent (nor) disobedient. And peace on him the day he was born, and the day he dies, and the day he shall be raised a live!”3
429. Imām al-Sādiq (a.s.) said, concerning Allah’s saying: “… And (to show) kindness to parents, …”: Showing kindness is that you be good company for them and that you should not make them ask you for something they need from you even if they are not in need.”45
430. Imām ‘Ali (a.s.) said: “Showing kindness to parents is the greatest obligation.”6
431. Imām ‘Ali (a.s.) said: “Showing kindness to parents is the most exalted of qualities.”7
1.. Qurān, ۱۷:۲۳-۲۴.
2.. Qurān, ۱۹:۳۲-۳۳.
3.. Qurān, ۱۹:۱۴-۱۵.
4.. It means that you should provide them what they need before they ask.
5.. al-Kāfi, vol. ۲, p. ۱۵۷, h. ۱, narrating from Abu Wallād al-Hannāt. Mishkāt al-Anwār, p. ۲۸۲, h. ۸۵۴.
6.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۴۴۲۳. ‘Uyun al-Hikam wa al-Mawā‘iz, p. ۱۹۵, h. ۳۹۸۲.
7.. Dastur Ma‘ālim al-Hikam, p. ۲۳. Tuhaf al-‘Uqul, p. ۸۵, with ‘the virtue of the nature [of a person]’ insead of ‘the most exalted of qualities’. Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۷۷, p. ۲۱۲, h. ۱.
