Lack of respect for parents: In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Disrespect toward parents involves actions, tones, or attitudes that show a lack of regard,value, or consideration for a parent’s boundaries, feelings, or authority.

Allah, the Most High, says, Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them but address them in terms of honor. And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: “My Lord! Bestow on them Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood. (Suratul Al-Isra: Qur’an 17: 23-24)

Therefore, you should serve them as they did with you. But your service is not equal to theirs as they suffered a lot in bringing you up, hoping that you might live long. On the other hand, when you shoulder their burdens you hope that they will die soon.

Allah, the Most High, says, Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: To Me is thy final goal. (Suratul Luqman: Qur’an 31Verse 14)

Behold, how Allah has associated gratitude to HIM with the gratitude to the parents Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), said, “There are three verses (ayat) which have been revealed associated with three others. They are not accepted separately.

1.) Allah, the Most High, says, Obey Allah and Obey the Messenger. And beware (of evil) if ye do turn back, know ye that it is our Messenger’s duty to proclaim (the message in the clearest manner. (Suratu-Al-Ma’idah: Qur’an 5 Verse 92)

Thus, whoever only obeys Allah without obeying HIS Prophet will have his obedience not accepted.

2.) Allah, the Most High, says, And be steadfast in prayer: Give Zakat. (Suratu-AI-Baqarah: Qur’an 2 Verse 43)

Hence, whoever performed prayers and does not pay Zakat will have his prayers not accepted

3.) Allah, the Most High, says, Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is thy final goal. (Suraltul Luqman: Qur’an 31 Verse 14)

So, whoever shows gratitude to Allah, the Most High, and neglects his parents will not have his gratitude accepted.

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Allah’s satisfaction is the parent’s and His Wrath is theirs.” [Tirmidhi]

“A man came and sought permission for Jihad (fighting in the way of Allah). The prophet (pbuh) asked him: ‘”Are your parents living? The man said” yes, Sir.’ He said, ‘Then carry on Jihad in service to your parents as this is as good as Jihad.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Behold, how Allah, the Most High, has preferred obeying and honoring the parents to Jihad!

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Shall I not tell you of the worst major sins? Worshipping others with Allah and showing disrespect to parents.”

Again Allah, the Most High, associates showing disrespect to parents with worshipping others besides Him.

It was related that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, “Whoever shows disrespect to his parents, he who reminds recipients of his charity to them and he who addicts to wine will not enter Paradise.” [Ad-Darimi, Ahmad, An-Nisa’i and Ibn Hibban]

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In another tradition, the Prophet (pbuh) said, “Had Allah known something concerning showing disrespect to one’s parents little than Uf (a word of contempt) He would have forbidden it. Let the rebellious son do whatever he does, he will not enter Paradise, and let the obedient son do whatever he wants, he will not enter the Hell-Fire.” [Ad-Dailami]

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, “May Allah curse he who shows disrespect to his parents.” [Al-Hakim]

“May Allah curse he who reviles his father; may Allah curse he who reviles his mother.” [Imam Ahmad and An-Nisa’i]

It was related that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, “Allah respites whatever He wants of the sins until the day of Judgment save showing disrespect to one’s parents, it will be hastened to its doer.” [Al-Hakim] i.e. the worldly punishment before the Day of Judgment.

Moreover, Kab Al-Ahbar, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “Allah hastens the death of anyone who shows disrespect to his parents so as torture him. On the other hand, Allah increases one’s life span if he is kind to his parents to bless him.”

Treating one’s parents with honour also requires sustaining them with the living costs when they are needy. A man came and said to the Prophet (pbuh), “O Messenger of Allah, my father asks for my property.” Then  the. Prophet (pbuh) said, “Both you and what you possess are your father’s.” [Ibn Majah and Ahmad]

When Kab Al-Ahbar may Allah be pleased with him, was asked about the meaning of showing disrespect to one’s parents, he said, “When one’s father or mother swore an oath and he or she did not fulfill it. When they ordered him to do something but he did not obey. When they ask him for something and he refused. When they entrust him for something but deceives them.

More so, Ibn Abbas may Allah be pleased with him, was asked about Ashab Al- Araf (men of the Heights) and he said; “As for the Heights, it is a mountain between Fire and Paradise. It is so-called because it outlooks Fire and Paradise. It is also covered by trees, fruits, rivers and wells. As for the men who seized thereon, they are those who went out to fight in the cause of Allah without their parents’ permission and then are killed. Death in the cause of Allah protects them from the Hell-Fire. But disobedience to their parents deprived them of Paradise. Thus, they will be on the Heights until Allah judges them.

In another tradition, It was related that a man asked the Prophet (pbuh), “Who deserves my service most after Allah?” The Prophet said, “Your mother.” The man asked again, “And who is next?” The Prophet said, “Your mother.” The man asked further, “Who is next?” The Prophet replied, “Your mother.” The man asked once more, “And who is next?” The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Your father and then the closer kins.” [Bukhari]

Thus, the Prophet (pbuh) emphasizes that the mother is the one who deserves much concern and therefore he mentioned her three times. It is the mother indeed who bears a lot in pregnancy, giving birth, and suckling and constant care to the child night and day.

Once Ibn Umar saw a man bearing his mother upon his shoulder and making circumambulation around the Kaaba. The man asked him, “Do you think that I requite her? No,  not even with a cry from childbirth. But, well done. Allah will give you in return for a little deed a great reward.” [Bukhari].The source of most people’s misery