The etiquettes of advising the parents

Reference: ad-Durar an-Naasirah fil-Fataawa al-Mu'aasirah p666-667
ad-Da'wah 1564, Jumaada ath-Thaanee 1417 AH

Question: Does advising the parents against detested speech or actions encroach upon their rights upon us?

Response: It is obligatory upon the Muslims to honour their parents, show kindness towards them and gentleness and mercy, as Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) says:

{And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents} al-Israa. 17:23

And He (subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) [also] says:

{...give thanks to Me and to your parents. To Me is the final destination} Luqmaan 31:14

And He ﷻ [also] says:

{And We have enjoined on man to be dutiful and kind to his parents} al-Ahqaaf 46:15

So if he sees in them anything detestable, then he is to advise them with good manners, gentleness and mercy; And in doing so, he can seek the assistance of someone whom his parents respect and appreciate his advice, being careful not to scold them nor be severe in speech towards them, in accordance to that which has preceded from the [aforementioned] Aayaat, and the statement of the Prophet ﷺ when he was asked about which action is the best? And He ﷺ replied:

«Prayer at its appointed time»

...and it was said to him, "Then which?" And he replied:

«Honouring the parents»

...and it was said to him, "Then which?" And he replied:

«jihaad in the path of Allaah» [from the hadeeth of 'Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood, transmitted by al-Bukhaaree no.527 and Muslim no.85]

Translation originally published on 15 May, 2009.

Graduate of the Islaamic University of Madeenah, having completed the Arabic Language programme at the Institute of Arabic Language before progressing to the Faculty of Sharee'ah, from which he graduated in 2004.

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