On Parents' Day, July 27: How Islam Honors Mothers and Fathers

Today, the world celebrates Parents' Day 2025, and social media platforms are abuzz with tributes to fathers, reflections, and touching messages. The trends include humorous posts and thank-you messages, and there's a beautiful phrase circulating on social media platforms: "Stop them from growing old." This phrase embodies an overwhelming desire to preserve our parents' love, strength, and presence.

In Islam, honoring parents is not limited to caring for them on one day each year. Rather, caring for parents is a lifelong Islamic act of worship, deeply rooted in the hearts of believers.

Honoring parents is a divine commandment revealed in the Qur'an.

Islam places honoring parents second only to the belief in the Oneness of God.
A Divine Command: Honoring Parents in the Qur’an
Islam places parental respect just beneath the worship of Allah. The Qur’an repeatedly emphasizes kindness, gratitude, and humility toward one’s parents:
For your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And honour your parents. If one or both of them reach old age in your care, never say to them ˹even˺ ‘ugh,’ nor yell at them. Rather, address them respectfully. And be humble with them out of mercy, and pray, “My Lord! Be merciful to them as they raised me when I was young.”
Surah Al-Isra (17:23–24)
"And We have commanded people to ˹honour˺ their parents. Their mothers bore them through hardship upon hardship, and their weaning takes two years. So be grateful to Me and your parents. To Me is the final return." Surah Luqman (31:14)

These verses really reflect a sacred bond that transcends time, culture, and personal hardship.

Prophetic Teachings: Hadiths on Parental Virtue

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) honored parents and elevated their status through his words and actions:

 Look at this hadith, which highlights the mother’s unparalleled sacrifices and emotional labor.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that a man came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "O Messenger of Allah, who is the most entitled among people to my good companionship?" He said: "Your mother." The man said: "Who next?" He said: "Your mother." The man asked again: "Who next?" He replied: "Your mother." The man further said: "Who next?" He said: "Your father." In another narration, the man asked: "O Messenger of Allah, who is the most entitled among people to my good companionship?" He said: "Your mother, then your mother, then your mother, then your father, and then those who are the closest to you."

 This is another Hadith:  Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was once approached by a man seeking permission to participate in jihad. The Prophet asked him:

“Are your parents alive?” The man replied, “Yes.” The Prophet said: “Then strive in their service.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 52, Hadith 248)

This is a powerful exchange that highlights how Islam considers serving one’s parents as a form of jihad—especially when they are elderly or in any need. It reminds us that devotion at home can be just as great as struggle on the battlefield.

These teachings show that serving parents is not just moral—it’s worship.

 A Global Reflection on Parents’ Day 2025

 Parents’ Day has sparked a wave of gratitude online this day. Posts expressed great nostalgia and honesty:

“You don’t need a break. You need guilt. Guilt that your parents showed up every day—no matter what. And you? You called it a ‘bad day’ and gave up. Let it hurt. Let it fix you.”

“They held our hands when we took our first steps… and never really let go, even when we thought we could do life on our own.”