The rank of parents

*Summary of Iṣlāḥī Majlis by Shaykhul-Ḥadīth Ḥaḍrat Mawlāna Ādam ibn Yūsuf Ṣāḥib دامت بركاته*

25th October 2020 | 8th Rabīul Awwal 1441AH

‎مولاي صل وسلم دائمًا أبدًا

‎على حبيبك خير الخلق كلهم

*عن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله ﷺ: إنَّ العبدَ ليموتُ والداه أو أحدُهما، وإنَّه لعاقٌّ، فلا يزالُ يدعو لهما ويستغفرُ لهما حتّى يُكتبَ عند اللهِ تعالى بارًّا* (مشكاة المصابيح)

_Anas (رضي الله عنه) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "If a person whose parents die or one of them dies and he had been disobedient to them, he does not now cease to make supplication for them and to seek forgiveness for them, then Allah ﷻ records him as obedient."_

*The Rank of Parents*

Parents are a great blessing. Their rank is even greater than that of our Shuyūkh (teachers). It is therefore highly ordained that we fulfil their rights. In the Qur’an, Allah ﷻ repeatedly instructs man to adopt good behaviour with parents, and to be obedient to them as long as it is within the boundaries of Sharīah (Islamic law). Always remember that disobeying one's parents is a great sin.

*Story- 'The One-legged Scholar '*

'Allāmah Zamakhshari (may Allah ﷻ have mercy on him) was a very learned scholar. He was lame in one of his legs. He explains the reason for this was that when he was young, he played with birds by tying their feet. His respected mother advised him not to do so as this may injure the bird and break its leg. Nevertheless, he carried on playing and he broke the leg of the bird. This frustrated his mother which led to her cursing him, "may you break your leg too!" A few days later, when he was travelling on a horse, he fell down and broke his leg. This incident also highlights to parents that they should not curse their children, as it will be a source of regret later on.

*Pray For Your Parents*

Going back to the explanation of the ḥadīth, the ḥadīth gives hopes to all children who may have been disobedient to their parents during their lifetime. We also learn from this that we should make Du'ā' for our parents who have passed away, and ask Allah ﷻ to forgive them. This will replace the disobedience of the child with obedience.

Shaykhul Ḥadīth Ḥaḍrat Mawlāna Zakariyya (رحمه الله) advised to make an intention for our parents in every good deed we do. Whether it is sadaqah, ḥajj, feeding orphans, zakat, qurbāni, etc. Make an intention that your parents too have a share in this reward. The treasures of Allah ﷻ have no limits and nobody will lose out on reward.

It is mentioned that Ḥaḍrat Thānwi (رحمه الله) would constantly recite dhikr in the day. At the end of the day, he would make Du'ā' "O Allah ﷻ give the Ummah of the past, present and the future, the rewards of all the good deeds You have given me the ability to do".

Notice that he wouldn't say "the deeds *I performed*", because the ability to do any good deed is from Allah ﷻ. We should never think 'I recited so many Juz' of Qur'ān', we should be humble and attribute it all to Allah ﷻ.

*Importance of Dhikrullah*

Continous Dhikr of Allah ﷻ makes one desire to do more good deeds, and thus they experience the delight of their deeds. On the contrary, being distant from the Dhikr of Allah ﷻ makes one lack the special attention of Allah ﷻ and thus they have no desire to pray or do any good deeds.

*Winter Bonus*

We are now approaching winter season where the days will be short. Grab this opportunity to do extra nawāfil fasts.

Ḥaḍrat also advised all men who attend the Masjid for ṣalah to follow the rules and avoid gathering outside the Masjid. Please obey the law and do what we can from our side to stop the spread of the virus. Alḥamdulillāh the Masjid was opened after a very long time. Let us appreciate this bounty of Allah ﷻ and not behave in a way that forces the Masājid to be shut. Leave the Masjid and go straight home.

(A request to all to share this message with all male family members.)

```May Allah ﷻ grant us the ability to practise on everything that has been said. Āmīn```