“Sometimes, in the twists and turns of our daily thoughts and actions, we forget important matters. At times, a blessing in our life becomes so commonplace that we no longer think about it, and we only realize its value when it is too late.
Truly, who do we owe our successes to? By looking back at our past, we will realize that our successes are owed to those we have forgotten, many of whom made the path for our progress smooth despite the hardships and struggles, and without expecting anything in return. Yet, we have rarely thought about them and their sacrifices. Although ingratitude and unkindness are always considered ugly and undesirable in all cases, there are those whom we should appreciate more than others, and we should not let our daily preoccupations and concerns make us forget them… Yes! Our parents.
Among the teachings of the divine religions regarding parents and their rights, the perspective of the school of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) holds special and delicate significance. For instance, when we sit in the school of Imam Ali bin Musa al-Reza (peace be upon him), he teaches us as follows:
“Know that the right of the mother is the most necessary and the most obligatory of rights; because she carried the heavy burden of her child and moved it with such care that no one would be willing to carry another person’s load in this way. She nurtured her child with her eyes, ears, and entire being, and was happy and joyful in doing so. Despite all the hardships, she carried her child in such a way that no one else could endure it. She was willing to remain hungry so that her child could be full, remain thirsty so her child could drink, remain without clothing so her child could be clothed, and remain in the sun so her child could be in the shade.
Thus, we must express our gratitude to our mothers and treat them with kindness and gentleness, even though we can never repay even the smallest of their rights without the help of God, because God has attached the right of the mother to His own right, and He has said: ‘We have enjoined on man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him with hardship upon hardship, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the destination.’”(Surah Luqman, verse 14)
The father, according to Imam Reza (peace be upon him), also has extraordinary respect and rights. Therefore, the Imam says:
“You must obey your father, show kindness to him, humble yourself before him, speak of him with respect, treat him with honor, and speak softly in his presence, for the father is the root and origin of the child, and the child is a part of him. If there were no father, there would be no child.
O children! Use your wealth, position, and life with the power of God for them. Indeed, I narrate from the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) who said: ‘Yourself and your wealth belong to your father. Therefore, sacrifice yourself and your wealth for your father.’
O children! Be good to your fathers in this world and after their death, remember them by seeking forgiveness and mercy from God. For it is narrated from the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) that he said: ‘Whoever shows kindness to his father while he is alive but forgets to pray for him after his death, God will call him ungrateful and disobedient…’”
Let us not become trapped in the swamp of daily routines. Let us not forget our parents, who have been the ladder to our progress in life. Let us not allow our fathers and mothers to be waiting for our love and attention. Let us go and visit our parents this night, the night of the birth of the symbol of love and compassion, and show them kindness and attention wherever they are. Let us ask God to help us repay even a small part of their efforts…
(From the book “Fiqh al-Reza (peace be upon him)”, attributed to Imam Ali bin Musa al-Reza (peace be upon him)