Chapter 4: Disobedience – A Major Sin
Surah Al-Ahqaf (46) Ayats 17-20:
Translation of Ayats 17-20:
- But some scold their parents, “Enough with you! Are you warning me that I will be brought forth from the grave, while many generations had already perished before me for good?” The parents cry to Allah for help, and warn their child, “Pity you. Have faith! Surely Allah’s promise is true.” But the deniers insist, “This is nothing but ancient fables.”
- These are the ones against whom the fate of earlier communities of jinn and humans has been justified, for they were truly losers.
- Each of the two groups will be ranked according to what they have done so He may fully reward all. And none will be wronged.
- Watch for the Day when the disbelievers will be exposed to the Fire. They will be told, “You already exhausted your share of pleasures during your worldly life, and fully enjoyed them. So Today you will be rewarded with the torment of disgrace for your arrogance throughout the land with no right, and for your rebelliousness.” (Quran, 46:17-20)
Explanation of Ayat 17:
- In these Ayats, Allah SWT mentions a person who is disrespectful and rebellious towards his parents, especially when they try to guide him towards the truth.
- “Enough with you! Are you warning me that I will be brought forth from the grave,” – Here, Allah SWT mentions that the parents are believers and try to guide their son by warning him about the Hereafter. Instead of listening, the child mocks them and rejects their advice.
- “The parents cry to Allah for help, and warn their child, “Pity you. Have faith! Surely Allah’s promise is true.” – Here, Allah SWT mentions the parents turning to Him for assistance, showing their concern for their son despite him mistreating them.
Explanation of Ayat 18:
- “These are the ones against whom the fate of earlier communities of jinn and humans has been justified” – Here, Allah SWT mentions that the disobedient people will be punished and it will be justified.
- The disobedient people follow the way of earlier disbelieving nations and jinn, and they will become losers in the Hereafter.
Explanation of Ayat 19:
- “Each of the two groups will be ranked according to what they have done so He may fully reward all. And none will be wronged.” – This means: Every person will receive a rank according to their deeds and nobody will be treated unjustly.
- The obedient child and the disobedient child will receive their reward or punishment. #
Explanation of Ayat 20:
- On the Day of Judgement, the disbelievers will be shown the Fire and told: “You already exhausted your share of pleasures during your worldly life, and fully enjoyed them. So Today you will be rewarded with the torment of disgrace for your arrogance.”
- Because of their arrogance and disobedience, they will receive a humiliating punishment.
- Their disrespect towards their parents and the truth is part of their arrogance.
Hadiths on Disobeying Parents:
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: Verily, Allah the Most Mighty and Most Majestic has forbidden for you disobedience to the mothers, burying daughters alive, wanting to stop the obligatory rights, and He dislikes for you three things: Idle talk, excessive questioning and wasting of wealth. (Muslim)
It was related from Amr ibn al-A’as from the Prophet ﷺ who said: The major sins are: Shirk with Allah, disobedience to parents, killing a person and one who takes the wealth of others through false oaths. (Bukhari)
Abu Bakrah narrated that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: Shall I not inform you of the greatest of major sins? Those in the gathering said: Of course, O Messenger of Allah. He (the Prophet) said: Shirk with Allah and disobedience to parents. (Muslim)
Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-A’as reported that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: The major signs are: Shirk with Allah, disobedience to parents, killing a person and the one who takes the wealth of others through false oaths. (Bukhari)
Anas ibn Malik reported: The major sins were mentioned in front of the Messenger of Allah, who said: Shirk with Allah and disobedience to the parents. (Bukhari)