Author: Abdul Hameed Nowrozi
Responsibility and Duty Awareness in Islam (Part Four)
Responsibility Towards Parents
The Holy Quran, after commanding the worship of Almighty Allah, instructs all humans to show kindness to their parents. This command underscores that obedience to it is a form of worship and devotion to Allah, while disobedience is a sin that brings punishment and suffering on the Day of Judgment.
When parents grow old and become unable to manage their own lives, it is the child’s duty to provide complete care for them. If they are in need, the child must ensure their living expenses are met. A son is required to obey and respect his parents in both hardship and ease, showing reverence without even uttering a word of complaint, such as “ugh,” or displaying any impatience toward them. Allah says: «وَقَضَى رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِنْدَكَ الْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَا أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَهُمَا أُفٍّ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيمًا وَاخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ مِنَ الرَّحْمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا» Translation: “And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him and be dutiful to your parents. If one or both of them reach old age with you, do not say to them, ‘Uff,’ nor rebuke them, but speak to them a word that is kind, and extend to them a gentle and humble attitude, and say, ‘My Lord, have mercy on them, as they raised me when I was young.’”
A Man’s Responsibility Towards His Wife
A man must provide for his wife’s needs adequately, ensuring that he gives her, her due rights as much as he can, and treat her with kindness, because Allah, the Exalted, commands: «وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ» Translation: “And treat them kindly.”
A man who has multiple wives must establish fairness among them, providing equitable clothing, sharing his nights, and covering their living expenses. He must bear the challenges that arise from this situation and handle the issues that come with it patiently. He should also educate his wife on matters related to religion. He holds the responsibility for his wife’s hijab and modest dress, especially when she goes outside the home.
Hazrat Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he said: «إِنَّ الْمَرْأَةَ تُقْبِلُ فِی صُورَةِ شَيطَانٍ، وَتُدْبِرُ فِی صُورَةِ شَيطَانٍ، فَإِذَا أَبْصَرَ أَحَدُكُمُ امْرَأَةً فَلْيأْتِ أَهْلَهُ، فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ یرُدُّ مَا فِی نَفْسِهِ» Translation: “A woman approaches in the form of Satan and departs in the form of Satan. When one of you sees a woman [who has made an impression on him and he is attracted to her], he should go to his wife, for by doing so he will ward off what is in his heart [and thereby be protected from the temptation of Satan].”
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