Islam Academy

Lesson

Loading…

Juz 26: Al-Aḥqāf to Adh-Dhāriyāt 30

Section 4 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera

Honoring Parents: Contrasting Examples

Surah Al-Ahqaf presents two contrasting models of children's behavior toward their parents, illustrating the Islamic emphasis on filial piety while warning against disrespect and ingratitude. These examples serve as powerful guidance for familial relationships in the Muslim community.

The righteous child is portrayed with beautiful detail in verses 15-16:

وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ إِحْسَانًا ۖ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ كُرْهًا وَوَضَعَتْهُ كُرْهًا ۖ وَحَمْلُهُ وَفِصَالُهُ ثَلَاثُونَ شَهْرًا ۚ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ وَبَلَغَ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً قَالَ رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ وَأَصْلِحْ لِي فِي ذُرِّيَّتِي ۖ إِنِّي تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَإِنِّي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ

“And We have enjoined upon man to be good to his parents. His mother carried him with hardship and delivered him with hardship. And his carrying and his weaning is (in) thirty months, until when he attains his maturity and reaches forty years, he says, 'My Lord, grant me that I offer gratitude for the favor You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and that I do righteous deeds that You like. And set righteousness, for my sake, in my offspring. I repent to You, and I am one of those who submit to You.'" (46:15)”

This verse begins by establishing the divine commandment to treat parents with ihsan (excellence and kindness), highlighting the physical hardships faced by mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing—a period spanning thirty months. The timeline then advances to the person's fortieth year, a significant milestone representing the peak of intellectual and physical maturity. At this pivotal age, the righteous individual makes a comprehensive supplication demonstrating five key qualities: