Islamic Teachings on Ideal Family Life — Page 42
~ 42 ~ him, there is always the likelihood of differences to arising and consequently for the embitterment of mutual relations. Moreover, when a person spends his money for another, he is inclined to think that he has a right to exercise his authority over him. The Holy Qur’ ā n therefore has emphasized that extra care should be taken in our relations towards our parents. In Arabic the word “Uff” is used to express one’s disgust by word of mouth. So, in this verse, the Holy Qur’ ā n means to say that we should never speak harshly to our parents. The verse quoted above teaches the Faithful to be always kind to their parents. It purports to say that ordinarily a person can never fully repay the love and affection his parents gave him when he was yet a child. He should make up the deficiency by praying for them. The words of the prayer imply that in old age parents need to be attended as carefully and affectionately as little children are looked after in their childhood. Similarly, the husband and wife should respect and care for the parents of each other, as they are supposed to respect their own parents. None of them should neglect, intentionally or unintentionally, the parents of the other. It is a very important moral obligation for both, and the negligence of which results in misery for the whole family. Commenting on Chapter 17, Verses 24:25, Ḥ a ḍ rat Khal ī fatul-Mas īḥ IV (may All ā h’s mercy be on him) says: “These verses are the most significant on this subject. After the Unity of God, human beings should, through their attitude of love, affection 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 behavior of one or both of the parents becomes extremely trying and sometimes offensive. In response to that, not even a mild expression of disgust