PARENTS IN THE HOLY QUR’ĀN: A STUDY OF THE CONCEPT OF SHUKR, IHSAN AND BIRR AL-WĀLIDAYN

Abstract

The Holy Qur’ān abounds with rules of conduct and, taken in its entirety, establishes much of the way of life desired by Almighty Allah. It contains more exhortations than stipulations. Most of the Holy Qur’ān rallies Muslims to act justly and reframes their moral knowledge in a context of retribution and reward in this world and judgement and subsequent punishment and reward in the next. Several verses in the Holy Qur’ān include exhortations about parents. This study follows such Quranic verses to underline the fundamental rules and principles concerning the treatment of one’s parents and explores the duties required of parents towards their children. It examines the semantics of certain terms used in discussions about filial piety, underlines their significance and explores some grammatical features. Furthermore, it examines bad behaviour towards parents from a Quranic perspective. The author argues that the Holy Qur’ān holds parents in such high esteem that respect and kindness towards them is considered second only in importance to worshipping Almighty Allah.