The Sacred Duty of Honoring Ageing Parents

Parents play an irreplaceable role in the lives of their children, selflessly nurturing, guiding, and sacrificing for their well-being. Yet, an alarming trend in modern society reveals children neglecting this sacred bond, abandoning their responsibilities, and, in some cases, consigning their parents to old age homes. This not only reflects a lack of compassion but also violates the core values of humanity and morality.

From their prime years, parents devote their energy and resources to their children's growth—ensuring education, health, and a secure future. Their sacrifices, often unnoticed, encompass financial, emotional, and physical hardships. In return, it is expected that children reciprocate with kindness, respect, and care. Unfortunately, many today disregard this obligation, failing to honour the efforts of their parents.

As parents age, they require emotional support, companionship, and physical assistance. Sadly, absorbed in their own lives, some children neglect these duties, leaving parents to face loneliness and abandonment. Placing elderly parents in old age homes without a genuine need inflicts deep emotional pain, robbing them of the comfort of familial love and care.

In Islam, honoring parents is a divine command. The Quran emphasizes: "And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years" (Surah Al-Ahqaf: 15). Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) declared, "Paradise lies at the feet of the mother" (Ibn Majah), signifying the unparalleled respect for mothers. He also said, "Allah’s pleasure is in the pleasure of the parents, and Allah’s anger is in their anger" (Tirmidhi). Serving parents is, therefore, both a moral duty and a spiritual act that brings one closer to Allah.

Respect for parents is not just a personal virtue but a foundation for a compassionate society. When families prioritize care for their elders, they cultivate empathy and strengthen intergenerational bonds. This ripple effect benefits communities at large, fostering harmony and shared responsibility.

Tailpiece: As a society, we must realign our priorities and ensure that no parent feels neglected or unloved. It is our sacred duty to honor, respect, and care for them as they once cared for us. By doing so, we fulfill our moral, spiritual, and societal obligations while paving the way for a life blessed with peace and contentment.

Let us cherish and honor our parents—through compassion, service, and gratitude. In doing so, we not only secure their happiness but also our own, in this world and the Hereafter.

Mohammad Arfat Wani is a writer from Kuchmulla, Tral