Every time I reflect on the Quran’s message of mercy, my heart is drawn to one of the most beautiful connections in the Arabic language. The name of Allah, Ar-Raḥmān (The Entirely Merciful), comes from the root ra-ḥa-ma (ر-ح-م). And from this very same root, we get the word for the womb, ar-raḥim (الرَّحِم).

SubhanAllah. The place our physical journey begins is linguistically tied to the core of Allah’s divine mercy. It is as if Allah is telling us that the first mercy we ever experience in this world comes through our mothers.

Is it any wonder, then, that in the Quran, Allah Almighty pairs the command to worship Him alone with the command to honor our parents? It is not a suggestion; it is a divine decree of the highest order. 

1. Quranic Verses on How to Treat Your Parents

Let’s begin with the verse that is perhaps the foundation of our entire relationship with our parents. Imagine a command so delicate, so profound, that it shapes the very way we breathe, the tone of our voice when we are in their presence.

“وَقَضىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلّا تَعبُدوا إِلّا إِيّاهُ وَبِالوالِدَينِ إِحسانًا ۚ إِمّا يَبلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ الكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُما أَو كِلاهُما فَلا تَقُل لَهُما أُفٍّ وَلا تَنهَرهُما وَقُل لَهُما قَولًا كَريمًا”

(Wa qaḍā rabbuka allā taʿbudū illā iyyāhu wa bil-wālidayni iḥsānā. Immā yablughanna ʿindaka al-kibara aḥaduhumā aw kilāhumā fa lā taqul lahumā uffiw wa lā tanharhumā wa qul lahumā qawlan karīmā.)

“And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], “uff,” and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.'” (Surah Al-Isra, 17:23)

1. Worship Allah. 2. Be good to parents. The two are inseparable. Allah uses the word ‘ihsan’ (إِحْسَانًا), which isn’t just being “good” or “kind.” It’s a level of excellence, of proactive service, of treating them with the utmost beauty and compassion, anticipating their needs before they even ask.

And the verse gets even more specific. The word ‘uff’ (أُفٍّ) is the smallest, slightest expression of annoyance—a frustrated sigh, an impatient sound. 

Allah forbids even this. If a mere sigh is forbidden, imagine the gravity of raising one’s voice or speaking harshly. It’s a lesson in profound patience and self-control.

2. A Quranic Quote on Mercy Towards Parents

The very next verse continues this powerful lesson, giving us a practical action and a beautiful supplication.

“وَاخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ مِنَ الرَّحْمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا”

(Wakhfid lahuma janaha alththulli mina alrrahmati waqul rabbi irhamhuma kama rabbayanee sagheera.)

“And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, ‘My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.'” (Surah Al-Isra, 17:24)

The imagery here is breathtaking. ‘Janah al-dhull’ (جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ) – the “wing of humility.” Like a mother bird lovingly shields her chicks with her wing, we are told to shield our parents with humility and mercy. 

This isn’t a humility born of weakness, but one born from overwhelming love and rahmah (mercy).

And then, we are taught what to say. 

This dua is a gift. “My Lord, have mercy on them as they raised me when I was small.” It’s a recognition of their sacrifice and a plea to the Most Merciful to care for them as they cared for us when we were utterly helpless. 

The journey of understanding these deep Quranic concepts is truly transformative. It’s not just about reading the translation, but about peeling back the layers of meaning, which is a central goal in our Online Quran Tafseer Course.

3. A Quranic Verse on Honoring the Unseen Sacrifices of Our Mothers

If the previous verses were the foundation, this one is the heart. Allah, in His infinite wisdom, singles out the mother to remind us of a debt we can never truly repay.

“وَوَصَّينَا الإِنسانَ بِوالِدَيهِ حَمَلَتهُ أُمُّهُ وَهنًا عَلىٰ وَهنٍ وَفِصالُهُ في عامَينِ أَنِ اشكُر لي وَلِوالِدَيكَ إِلَيَّ المَصيرُ”

(Wa waṣṣaynā al-insāna bi-wālidayhi ḥamalathu ummuhu wahnan ʿalā wahnin wa fiṣāluhu fī ʿāmayni anishkur lī wa li-wālidayka ilayya-l-maṣīr.)

“And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [enduring] weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.” (Surah Luqman, 31:14)

Wahnan ‘alā wahn… weakness upon weakness. No phrase could better describe the trial of pregnancy and childbirth. It is not just one moment of weakness, but a continuous state. 

The mother’s strength wanes as the child’s grows. Her comfort is sacrificed for the baby’s. Her nourishment goes to the baby. It is layer upon layer of sacrifice.

4. Another Quranic Order of Good Treatment to Our Parents

Our duty does not end with kind words and soft wings. The Quran teaches us to carry our love for them into our conversations with Allah Himself, making it an act of worship.

“وَوَصَّينَا الإِنسانَ بِوالِدَيهِ إِحسانًا ۖ حَمَلَتهُ أُمُّهُ كُرهًا وَوَضَعَتهُ كُرهًا ۖ وَحَملُهُ وَفِصالُهُ ثَلاثونَ شَهرًا ۚ حَتّىٰ إِذا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ وَبَلَغَ أَربَعينَ سَنَةً قالَ رَبِّ أَوزِعني أَن أَشكُرَ نِعمَتَكَ الَّتي أَنعَمتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلىٰ والِدَيَّ وَأَن أَعمَلَ صالِحًا تَرضاهُ وَأَصلِح لي في ذُرِّيَّتي ۖ إِنّي تُبتُ إِلَيكَ وَإِنّي مِنَ المُسلِمينَ”

“Wawassayna alinsana biwalidayhi ihsanan hamalathu ommuhu kurhan wawadaAAathu kurhan wahamluhu wafisaluhu thalathoona shahran hatta itha balagha ashuddahu wabalagha arbaAAeena sanatan qala rabbi awziAAnee an ashkura niAAmataka allatee anAAamta AAalayya waAAala walidayya waan aAAmala salihan tardahu waaslih lee fee thurriyyatee innee tubtu ilayka wainnee mina almuslimeena”

“And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship, and his gestation and weaning [period] is thirty months. [He grows] until, when he reaches maturity and reaches [the age of] forty years, he says, “My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to work righteousness of which You will approve and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims.” (Surah Al-Ahqaf, 46:15)

Again, the mother’s hardship is highlighted, this time with the word ‘kurhan’ (كُرْهًا)—difficulty, pain, aversion. It’s a raw, honest description of the physical toll of motherhood.

The verse then fast-forwards to the age of forty, an age of full spiritual and mental maturity. At this peak, what does the righteous person do? They turn to Allah with a beautiful dua. 

You are not just praying for yourself; you are acknowledging that the blessings you have are a continuation of the blessings Allah gave your parents. 

Many of our students find immense peace in memorizing these powerful words, a core part of our Quran Memorization and Hifz program.

5. A Quranic Quote on Kindness to Parents and Devotion to Allah

What if our parents ask us to do something that displeases Allah? The Quran, in its perfect wisdom, provides the answer with perfect balance.

“وَإِن جاهَداكَ عَلىٰ أَن تُشرِكَ بي ما لَيسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلمٌ فَلا تُطِعهُما ۖ وَصاحِبهُما فِي الدُّنيا مَعروفًا”

“Wa in jāhadāka ‘alā an tushrika bī mā laysa laka bihī ‘ilmun fa-lā tuṭi’humā wa ṣāḥibhumā fī al-dunyā ma’rūfā.”

“But if they strive to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, then do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness…” (Surah Luqman, 31:15)

Here is the perfect measure. Obedience to the Creator comes before obedience to the creation. There is no compromise on the Oneness of Allah (Tawhid). 

But look at what Allah commands immediately after: do not obey them but accompany them with ma’rūfā (kindness, honor, goodness). He does not say, “and abandon them” or “be harsh with them.” 

No! Disobedience in sin does not cancel the commandment of kindness in worldly matters. You still care for them, speak to them gently, and fulfill their needs. This is the justice and mercy of Islam.

6. ِA  Quranic Verse Placing Love for Parents in the Community

Finally, Allah places the command to be good to parents right at the center of our social obligations, showing that a healthy society is built from a healthy home.

“وَاعبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلا تُشرِكوا بِهِ شَيئًا ۖ وَبِالوالِدَينِ إِحسانًا وَبِذِي القُربىٰ وَاليَتامىٰ وَالمَساكينِ وَالجارِ ذِي القُربىٰ وَالجارِ الجُنُبِ وَالصّاحِبِ بِالجَنبِ وَابنِ السَّبيلِ”

(Waʿbudū-llāha wa lā tushrikū bihī shay’an wa bi-l-wālidayni iḥsānaw wa bidhi-l-qurbā wa-l-yatāmā wa-l-masākīni wa-l-jāri dhi-l-qurbā wa-l-jāri-l-junubi wa-ṣ-ṣāḥibi bi-l-janbi wa-bni-s-sabīl…)

“Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side, and the traveler…” (Surah An-Nisa, 4:36)

7. Quran Teaches Us That Honoring Our Parents Is A Prophetic Character Trait

When Allah wants to praise His chosen prophets, what qualities does He mention? It is humbling to see that being good to their parents is a characteristic worthy of mention for the best of humanity.

About Prophet Yahya (John), Allah says:

“وَبَرًّا بِوالِدَيهِ وَلَم يَكُن جَبّارًا عَصِيًّا”

(Wa barram bi-wālidayhi wa lam yakun jabbāran ʿaṣiyyā.)

“And dutiful to his parents, and he was not a tyrant or disobedient.” (Surah Maryam, 19:14)

And Allah quotes Prophet Isa (Jesus) as saying from the cradle:

“وَبَرًّا بِوالِدَتي وَلَم يَجعَلني جَبّارًا شَقِيًّا”

(Wa barram bi-wālidatī wa lam yajʿalnī jabbāran shaqiyyā.)

“And [He made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a tyrant or wretched.” (Surah Maryam, 19:32)

The Arabic word used here is Barran. This word means much more than just “kind” or “obedient.” It implies a deep, profound, and vast level of goodness and dutifulness. It is a quality of the Prophets! 

If Allah describes His beloved messengers Yahya and Isa (peace be upon them) by highlighting their devotion to their parents, what does this tell us? It teaches us that honoring our parents is a prophetic character trait. It is a path to righteousness and a means of drawing closer to Allah.

8. The Command to Honor Parents Across Nations

To truly understand the importance of something in Islam, we often look to see if it was commanded to previous nations as well. And when it comes to parents, the answer is a resounding yes.

“وَإِذ أَخَذنا ميثاقَ بَني إِسرائيلَ لا تَعبُدونَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ وَبِالوالِدَينِ إِحسانًا”

(Wa idh akhadhnā mīthāqa banī isrā’īla lā taʿbudūna illā-llāha wa bi-l-wālidayni iḥsānā…)

“And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], ‘Do not worship except Allah; and to parents, good treatment…'” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:83)

Honoring parents with Ihsan (the highest level of beautiful conduct) is not a new law for the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). It was a core part of the solemn promise, the mīthāq, taken from the Children of Israel. 

Read more about: Quranic verses

9. Quranic Verses on the Responsibilities of Parents

Being a parent is one of the heaviest and most noble responsibilities Allah can bestow upon a person. Here is how the Quran frames this sacred duty.

A. A Parent’s First Duty is Protecting His Family from the Fire

Before we think of worldly success, schools, or careers for our children, the Quran directs our attention to the ultimate goal. What is the single most important duty of a parent?

“يا أَيُّهَا الَّذينَ آمَنوا قوا أَنفُسَكُم وَأَهليكُم نارًا وَقودُهَا النّاسُ وَالحِجارَةُ”

(Yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū qū anfusakum wa ahlīkum nāran waqūduhā an-nāsu wa-l-ḥijārah.)

“O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones…” (Surah At-Tahrim, 66:6)

Qū anfusakum wa ahlīkum nārā. “Protect yourselves and your families from a Fire.” Think about this command. 

In this world, a loving parent would throw themselves in front of a car to save their child. But Allah is telling us that the real danger, the eternal danger, is the Fire of the Hereafter. 

A parent’s primary responsibility, therefore, is spiritual. It is to teach their children about Allah, about right and wrong, about prayer, and about love for the Deen. 

Providing food and shelter is important, but providing the tools for salvation is the ultimate expression of parental love.

B. A Parent Must Implant In Their Child’s Heart The Oneness Of Allah 

The Quran gives us a beautiful model of parental advice in the story of Luqman the Wise. What is the very first thing he teaches his beloved son?

“وَإِذ قالَ لُقمانُ لِابنِهِ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُ يا بُنَيَّ لا تُشرِك بِاللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ الشِّركَ لَظُلمٌ عَظيمٌ”

(Wa idh qāla luqmānu li-ibnihi wa huwa yaʿiẓuhu yā bunayya lā tushrik billāh, inna-sh-shirka la-ẓulmun ʿaẓīm.)

“And [mention, O Muhammad], when Luqman said to his son while he was instructing him, ‘O my dear son, do not associate anything with Allah. Indeed, association [with Him] is a great injustice.'” (Surah Luqman, 31:13)

Yā bunayya—”O my dear son.” Notice the tenderness in the address before the lesson even begins. This is the first lesson for any parent: speak with love. 

And what is the lesson? It is not about worldly manners or success first. It is about the foundation of our entire existence: Tawhid. 

The first and most important knowledge a parent must implant in their child’s heart is the Oneness of Allah and the great injustice of Shirk. Everything else—prayer, charity, good character—is a house built upon this foundation. If the foundation is weak, the entire structure will crumble.

C. A Quranic Verse on Parental Provision

Islam is a complete way of life. Alongside spiritual guidance, it gives immensely practical and just instructions for a family’s worldly affairs, ensuring the rights of the most vulnerable are protected.

“وَالوالِداتُ يُرضِعنَ أَولادَهُنَّ حَولَينِ كامِلَينِ ۖ لِمَن أَرادَ أَن يُتِمَّ الرَّضاعَةَ ۚ وَعَلَى المَولودِ لَهُ رِزقُهُنَّ وَكِسوَتُهُنَّ بِالمَعروفِ ۚ لا تُكَلَّفُ نَفسٌ إِلّا وُسعَها”

(Wa-l-wālidātu yurḍiʿna awlādahunna ḥawlayni kāmilayni liman arāda an yutimma-r-raḍāʿah. Wa ʿalā-l-mawlūdi lahū rizquhunna wa kiswatuhunna bi-l-maʿrūf. Lā tukallafu nafsun illā wusʿahā.)

“Mothers may breastfeed their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing [period]. Upon the father is the mothers’ provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable. No soul is charged with more than its capacity…” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:233)

Allah validates the mother’s role in nursing for two full years, a known benefit for the child. 

Then, He explicitly places the responsibility of providing food (rizq) and clothing (kiswah) for the mother upon the father. This isn’t just a cultural norm; it is a divine right given to the mother who is dedicating her time and body to nurturing their child. 

Then, the verse ends with the golden principle of justice: Lā tukallafu nafsun illā wusʿahā (No soul is charged with more than its capacity). This means the father provides what he is able, without being crushed by the burden. It is a system of mutual support, rights, and mercy.

Read more about: Quranic Verses About Marriage

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