Friday sermon: Parents are a ‘Divine blessing and a pathway to Heaven’

Parents are above all things, after obedience to Allah and his Prophet.

“Our parents’ favour on us is great because through them we were brought to life and under their wing of compassion, we grew up until we reached maturity and became independent,” says today’s sermon, “as such, they are a Divine blessing and a pathway to Heaven.”

The sermon adds: “Respecting them is their right and is our duty towards them.”

In the Quran, parents are often mentioned after Allah’s worship: “and your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment”.

Another verse states: “And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them]. Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good.”

While both parents are ranked before others in Islam, the mother is always a priority.

The sermon cites an incident when a man went to the Prophet Mohammed and said: “O Allah’s Messenger, who is more entitled to be treated with the best companionship by me?”

The Prophet said: “Your mother.”

The man said: “Who is next?”

The Prophet said: “Your mother.”

The man said: “Who is next?”

The Prophet said: “Your mother.”

The man said: “Who is next?”

The Prophet said: “Your father.”

A verse in the Quran illustrates the importance of a mother: “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 30 months.

“Did not she willingly offer to care for you and attend to your cleanness at the expense of her own comfort? How many times did she stay up sleepless because you were ill, and perhaps out of sympathy she felt pain more than you did?” says the sermon.