Islam's Response to Contemporary Issues — Page 106
106 islam’s response to contemporary issues and kindness, give priority over all other things to their parents who have reached an old and difficult age. Further, the verses speak of situations when the behaviour of one or both of the parents becomes extremely trying and sometimes offensive. In response to that, not even a mild expression of disgust or disapproval should pass one’s lips. On the contrary, they should be treated with profound respect. The emphasis on the most excellent relationship between one generation and another, guarantees that no generation gaps appear. Such gaps always interrupt the transmission of traditional moral values. Islamic social philosophy, therefore, teaches that no generation should permit a gap to appear between it and the outgoing generation and between it and the future generation. Generation gaps are totally alien to Islam. As stated earlier, the family concept in Islam is not limited to members of a single home. The following verse instructs Muslims to spend not only on their parents, but also their kith and kin who are mentioned next to parents in order of preference so that their sense of dignity is not injured and mutual love is promoted. Worship Allah and associate naught with Him, and show kindness to parents, and to kindred, orphans, the needy and to the neighbour who is a kinsman and the neighbour who is a stranger, and the companion by your side and the wayfarer and those who are under your authority. Surely, Allah loves not the arrogant and the boastful. 30