Chapter 6: The Prophets as Examples of Dutiful Children
In the Quran, Allah SWT mentions several examples of the Prophets who demonstrated the highest level of respect and dutifulness towards their parents.
Prophet Isa:
Surah Maryam (19) Ayats 30-34:
Translation of Ayats 30-34:
- Isa declared: I am truly a servant of Allah. He has destined me to be given the Scripture and to be a Prophet. He has made me a blessing wherever I go, and has enjoined me to establish prayer and give Zakah as long as I live, and to be kind to my mother. He has not made me arrogant or defiant. Peace be upon me the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I will be raised back to life!” That is Isa, son of Maryam. And this is a word of truth, about which they dispute. (Quran, 19:30-34)
Explanation of Ayats 30-34:
- In these Ayats, Allah SWT mentions a miraculous moment in the life of Prophet Isa (AS).
- After Maryam returned with her newborn baby, the residents of the city accused her of an act of immorality. In response, she pointed to her child.
- By the will of Allah SWT, Isa (AS) spoke while still in the cradle, defending his mother and declaring the truth.
- “and to be kind to my mother” – This highlights the importance of honouring our mothers.
Prophet Yahya:
Surah Maryam (19) Ayats 12-15:
Translation of Ayats 12-15:
- O Yahya! Hold firmly to the Scriptures. And We granted him wisdom while he was still a child, as well as purity and compassion from Us. He was God-fearing and kind to his parents. He was neither arrogant nor disobedient. Peace be upon him the day he was born, and the day of his death, and the day he will be raised back to life! (Quran, 19:12-15)
Explanation of Ayats 12-15:
- These Ayats describe the great character and qualities of Prophet Yahya (AS).
- “and kind to his parents” – Again, Allah SWT provides us with another example of a Prophet who was known to honour and respect their parents.
Prophet Ismail:
Translation of Ayats 101-107:
- So We gave him good news of a forthcoming son. Then when the boy reached the age to work with him, Abraham said, “O my dear son! I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice you. So tell me what you think.” He replied, “O my dear father! Do as you are commanded. Allah willing, you will find me steadfast.” Then when they submitted to Allah’s Will and Abraham laid him on the side of his forehead for sacrifice, We called out to him, “O Abraham! You have already fulfilled the vision.” Indeed, this is how We reward the good-doers. That was truly a revealing test. And We ransomed his son with a great sacrifice. (Quran, 37:101-107)
Explanation of Ayats 101-107:
- In these Ayats, Allah SWT highlights one of the greatest examples of a child honouring and obeying his parent through the story of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son Ismail (AS).
- He replied, “O my dear father! Do as you are commanded. Allah willing, you will find me steadfast.” – This demonstrates the respect Ismail (AS) showed his father. He did not argue or resist and he accepted the command of Allah and encourage Ibrahim (AS) to carry it out.
Prophet Ibrahim:
Surah Ash-Shu’ara (26) Ayats 83-87:
Translation of Ayats 83-87:
- “My Lord! Grant me wisdom, and join me with the righteous. Bless me with honourable mention among later generations. Make me one of those awarded the Garden of Bliss. Forgive my father, for he is certainly one of the misguided. And do not disgrace me on the Day all will be resurrected.” (Quran, 26:83-87)
Explanation of Ayats 83-87:
- In these Ayats, Allah SWT mentions the Dua made by Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
- “Forgive my father, for he is certainly one of the misguided.” – Despite his father being a disbeliever, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) still showed compassion and made Dua for his forgivness.
- This demonstrates the love that he had for his father and his desire for Allah SWT to guide him to the truth.
- Later on, when it became clear that his father died upon disbelief, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) stopped making Dua for him (mentioned in the Quran, 9:114)
Prophet Sulayman:
Surah Naml (27) Ayats 18-19:
Translation of Ayats 18-19:
- And when they came across a valley of ants, an ant warned, “O ants! Go no quickly into your homes so Sulayman and his armies do not crush you, unknowingly.” So Sulayman smiled in amusement at its statement, and prayed, “My Lord! Inspire me to always be thankful for Your favours which You have blessed me and my parents with, and to do good deeds that please you. Admit me, by Your mercy, into the company of Your righteous servants.” (Quran, 27:18-19)
Explanation of Ayats 18-19:
- In these Ayats, Allah SWT mentions that after Prophet Sulayman (AS) witnesses the ant speaking, he turns to Allah in gratitude and says: “My Lord! Inspire me to always be thankful for Your favours which You have blessed me and my parents with..”
- Here, Prophet Sulayman (AS) does not only thank Allah SWT for his own blessings, but he also acknowledges his parents in his Dua.
Prophet Nuh:
Surah Nuh (71) Ayats 26-28:
Translation of Ayats 26-28:
- Nuh had prayed, “My Lord! Do not leave a single disbeliever on earth. For if You spare any of them, they will certainly mislead Your servants, and give birth only to wicked sinners and staunch disbelievers. My Lord! Forgive me, my parents, and whoever enters my house in faith, and all believing men and women. And increase the wrongdoers only in destruction.” (Quran, 71:26-28)
Explanation of Ayats 26-28:
- In these Ayats, Allah SWT mentions the Dua of Prophet Nuh (AS) towards the end of his mission.
- Nuh (AS) preached the religion of Islam for 950 years with his people constantly mocking and rejecting him.
- After witnessing this, Prophet Nuh (AS) finally made a powerful Dua to Allah SWT.
- “My Lord! Forgive me, my parents, and whoever enters my house in faith…” – Here, we can see that after enduring centuries of hardship, the first people that Prophet Nuh (AS) mentioned in his Duas were his parents.