1. Parents

1. Parents

Chapter 1. Honouring Parents: The Words of Allah Almighty: “We have instructed man to honour his parents.” (29:8)

1. Abu ‘Amr ash-Shaybani said, “The owner of this house (and he pointed at the house of ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud) said, “I asked the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, which action Allah loves best. He replied, ‘Prayer at its proper time.’ ‘Then what?’ I asked. He said, ‘Then kindness to parents.” I asked, ‘Then what?’ He replied, ‘Then jihad in the Way of Allah.'” He added, “He told me about these things. If I had asked him to tell me more, he would have told me more.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: The hadeeth exhorts towards observing the Prayers at their stipulated times, and being dutiful to parents. It also shows the keenness of the companions of Allah’s Messengerﷺ for good deeds, and the importance of giving responses to questions based on the condition and need of the questioner. Otherwise, heﷺ had mentioned faith in Allah and His Messenger, Jihad and the well-performed pilgrimage, in that order, in other narrations as the dearest deeds to Allah – the most High

2. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar said, “The pleasure of the Lord lies in the pleasure of the parent. The anger of the Lord lies in the anger of the parent.”
Grade: Hasan (Sound)
Commentary: This is because Allah – the Mighty and Exalted – has ordered obedience and dutifulness to the parent. So, they must be obeyed except when they order disobedience to Allah, the most High. The hadeeth is also reported from the Messengerﷺ as from his saying and graded authentic by Imam Al-Albaanee in Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth is-Saheehah (516).

Chapter 2. Dutifulness to One’s Mother

3. Bahz ibn Hakim’s grandfather said, “I asked, ‘Messenger of Allah, to whom should I be dutiful?’ ‘Your mother,’ he replied. I asked, ‘Then whom?’ ‘Your mother,’ he replied. I asked, ‘Then whom?’ ‘Your mother,’ he replied. I asked, ‘Then whom?’ ‘Your mother,’ he replied. I asked, ‘Then to whom should I be dutiful?’ ‘Your father,’ he replied, ‘and then the next closest relative and then the next.'”
Grade: Hasan (Sound)
Commentary: (1) The eargerness of the companions of Allah’s Messengerﷺ to know the ranks of good deeds is shown in this hadeeth. (2) Preference is given for the mother because she suffered the difficulties of pregnancy, child birth, breast-feeding and general care. (3) The fact that the nearest relatives should take precedence over others than them when we show kindness is also evinced in the narration.

4. ‘Ata’ ibn Yasar said that a man came to Ibn ‘Abbas and said, “I asked a woman to marry me and she refused to marry me. Another man asked her and she agreed to marry him. I became jealous and killed her. Is there any way for me to repent?” He asked, “Is your mother alive?” “No,” he replied. He said, “repent to Allah Almighty and try to draw near Him as much as you can.”
‘Ata’ said, “I went to Ibn ‘Abbas and asked him, ‘Why did you ask him whether his mother was alive?’ He replied, ‘I do not know of any action better for bringing a person near to Allah than dutifulness to his mother.'”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: The people of knowledge should guide the rest of the people towards the things that benefit them such as how to repent from sins, no matter their gravity. Also, being obedient and kind to the mother is mentioned in this hadeeth as an atonement for the sin of taking a soul unlawfully. Jealousy could lead to backbiting, slander, hatred and worse sins such as killing.

Chapter 3. Dutifulness to One’s Father

5. Abu Hurayra said, “The Prophet was asked, ‘Messenger of Allah, to whom should I be dutiful?’ ‘Your mother,’ he replied. He was asked, ‘Then whom?’ ‘Your mother,’ he replied. He was asked, ‘Then whom?’ ‘Your mother,’ he replied. He was asked, ‘Then whom?’ ‘Your mother,’ he replied. He was asked, ‘Then whom?’ He replied, ‘Your father.'”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: Being kindhearted and respectful towards the father and the obligation of doing so is evinced in this hadeeth.

6. Abu Hurayra reported: “A man came to the Prophet of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and asked, ‘What do you command me to do?’ He replied, ‘Be dutiful towards your mother.’ Then he asked him the same question again and he replied, ‘Be dutiful towards your mother.’ He repeated it yet again and the Prophet replied, ‘Be dutiful towards your mother.’ He repeated the question a fourth time and the reply was, ‘Be dutiful towards your mother.’ Then he put the question a fifth time and the Prophet said, ‘Be dutiful towards your father.'”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)

Chapter 4. Dutifulness to Parents, even if they are unjust

7. Ibn ‘Abbas said, “If any Muslim obeys Allah regarding his parents, Allah will open two gates of the Garden for him. If there is only one parent, then one gate will be opened. If one of them is angry, then

Allah will not be pleased with him until that parent is pleased with him.” He was asked, “Even if they wrong him?” “Even if they wrong him” he replied.
Grade: Da’eef (Weak)

Chapter 5. Gentle words to Parents

8. Taysala ibn Mayyas said, “I was with the Najadites [Kharijites] when I committed wrong actions which I supposed were major wrong actions. I mentioned that to Ibn ‘Umar. He inquired, ‘What are they?” I replied, ‘Such-and-such.’ He stated, ‘These are not major wrong actions. There are nine major wrong actions. They are: associating others with Allah, killing someone, desertion from the army when it is advancing, slandering a chaste woman, usury, consuming an orphan’s property, heresy in the mosque, scoffing, and causing one’s parents to weep through disobedience.’ Ibn ‘Umar then said to me, ‘Do you wish to separate yourself from the Fire? Do you want to enter the Fire?’ ‘By Allah, yes!’ I replied. He asked, ‘Are your parents still alive?’ I replied, ‘My mother is.’ He said, ‘By Allah, if you speak gently to her and feed her, then you will enter the Garden as long as you avoid the major wrong actions.'”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: (1) This hadeeth highlights the importance of keeping the company of the people of Sunnah and referringto the scholars to understand the true position regarding any matter in the religion. Perhaps Taysala, was influenced by the Najadites to believe wrongly that the sin he commited was a major one. (2) We also learn from this hadeeth that sins are not entirely of the same category; some are major while others are considered minor with respect to the major ones and not by way of trivializing sin. (3) One of the meanings of the expression, yastaskhiru is to burden people and to make them do a job without pay. Some of the scholars even consider it the most preponderant meaning here for its been mentioned after usury and consumption of an orphan’s wealth both of which are illegitimate means to seek wealth. (4) The permissibility of swearing without been asked to swear while giving a religious verdict or admonition is pointed to in the narration. (5) As long as one abstains from the major sins, speaking kindly to parents and feeding them is surely a means to attain admission to the Paradise by Allah’s leave.

9. Hisham ibn ‘Urwa related this ayat from his father, “Take them under your wing, out of mercy, with due humility.” (17:24)
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: The exemption to this is when their desire involves disobedience to Allah, the Mighty and Exalted; for the religion prohibits obedience to a creature in disobedience to the Creator.

Chapter 6. Repaying Parents

10. Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “A child cannot repay his father unless he finds him as a slave and the buys him and sets him free.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: It is as if the slave is non-existent and that by his freedom he comes into existence such that the child’s action here, is as that of his parents through whom he came into existence from non-existence.

11. Sa’id ibn Abi Burda said, “I heard my father sat that Ibn ‘Umar saw a Yamani man going around the House while carrying his mother on his back, saying, ‘I am your humble camel. If her mount is frightened, I am not frightened.’ Then he asked, ‘Ibn ‘Umar? Do you think that I have repaid her?’ He replied, ‘No, not even for a single groan.’

“Ibn ‘Umar did tawaf and came to the Maqam and prayed two rak’ats. He said, ‘Ibn Abi Musa, every two rak’ats make up for everything that has happened between them.'”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: The pains of childbirth and nursing endured by the mother and the tremendous reward and high rank she earns as a result are highlights in this hadeeth. Therefore, the parents must be shown kindness and great respect. The Tawaf and performance of the two units of prayer after it behind the station of Ibrahim are two major means to seek expiation of sins

12. Marwan used to make Abu Hurayra his agent and he used to be located in Dhu’l-Hulayfa. His mother was in one house and he was in another. When he wanted to go out, he would stop at her door and say, “Peace be upon you, mother, and the mercy of Allah and His blessing.” She would reply, “And peace be upon you, my son, and the mercy of Allah and His blessing.” Then he said, “May Allah have mercy on you as you raised me when I was a child.” She answered, “May Allah have mercy on you as you were dutiful to me when I was old.” Whenever he wanted to go inside, he would do something similar.
Grade: Da’eef (Weak)

13. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr said, “A man came to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and made a pledge to him that he would do hijra. He left his parents who were in tears. The Prophet said, ‘Go back to them and make them laugh as you made them weep.'”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: This further evinces the virtue of dutifulness to parents and warns against being sources of sadness to them. The necessity of correcting mistakes also forms a point of benefit in the hadeeth.

14. Abu Hazim reported that Abu Murra, the mawla of Umm Hani’ bint Abi Talib had told him that he rode with Abu Hurayra to his land in al-‘Aqiq. When he entered his land, he shouted out in his loudest voice, “Peace be upon you, mother, and the mercy of Allah and His blessing!” She replied, “And peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessing.” He said, “May Allah have mercy on you as you raised me when I was a child.” She replied, “My son, may Allah repay you well and be pleased with you as you were dutiful towards me when I was old.”
Grade: Hasan (Sound)
Commentary: From what gladdens parents is the child’s dutifulness to them, and Abu Hurayra’s mother showed appreciation in the best manner by saying: Jazakallahu khayran (meaning: may Allah reward you well). As regards Abu Hurayra’s name, Imam Adh-Dhahabee (الله رحمه ( said: “There is some variance on what his actual name is. However, the most preponderant is Abdur-Rahman bin Sakhr.”

Chapter 7. Disobedience to Parents

15. Abu Bakra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Shall I tell you which is the worst of the major wrong actions?” “Yes, Messenger of Allah,” they replied. He said, “Associating something else with Allah and disobeying parents.” he had been reclining, but then he said up and said, “And false witness.” Abu Bakr said, “He continued to repeat it until I said, ‘Is he never going to stop?'”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: Allah’s Messengerﷺ would show how crucial any matter was either by repeating a question regarding the matter or employing emphasis or even changing his posture, all of which he employed in this hadeeth. He could also mildly touch the companion on the chest or hold his hand amongst other means. (2) The narration shows that some major sins are still worse than some others, and from the worst ones is offending the parents, rebelling against them and severing relationship with them which are all contradictory to being dutiful to them. (3) It also indicates that the companions (RA)had great concerns for the Prophetﷺ

16. Warrad, the scribe of al-Mughira ibn Shu’ba, said, “Mu’awiya wrote to al-Mughira, saying, ‘Write down for me what you heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say.'” Warrad said, “He dictated to me and I wrote out, ‘I heard him forbid asking too many questions, wasting money and chit-chat.'”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: The hadith encourages the recitation of the mentioned expressions of remembrance after the obligatory prayers. The prohibition of squandering wealth apparently connects the narration to the chapter heading.

Chapter 8. “Allah curses whoever curses his parents”

17. Abu’t-Tufayl said, “‘Ali was asked, ‘Did the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, give you something special which he did not give to anyone else?’ He replied, ‘The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, did not give me anything special which he did not give to everyone else except for what I have in my sword scabbard.’ He brought out a piece of paper. Written on that paper was: ‘Allah curses anyone who sacrifices an animal to something other than Allah. Allah curses anyone who steals a milestone. Allah curses anyone who curses his parents. Allah curses anyone who gives shelter to an innovator.'”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: (1) Abdullah bin Saba and his cohorts maliciously spread falsehood that the Messengerﷺ had granted some special things to ‘Ali which he did not grant to the rest of the companions (RA)from which is the right to assume the leadership of the Muslims after the Messenger’s death. So, the people used to seek clarification from ‘Ali ; hence the question. In some other wordings of the same hadeeth, he grew furious at the question. (2) The booklet was from the documentation of hadeeth that took place during the lifetime of Allah’s Messengerﷺ. (3) The word محدثات is reported with the dal having a Kasra, and so it would mean, an offender; and with a Fatha so that it means an innovation. So in the first case the expression in which it occurs would mean, “whoever gives shelter to an offender” and in the second case, “whoever supports an innovation”. Giving support to innovation includes being pleased with it, tolerating it and not controverting and refuting it. (4) The hadeeth warns against cursing one’s parents.

Chapter 9. Being Dutiful to Parents as long as that does not entail disobedience to Allah

18. Abu’d-Darda’ said, “The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, recommended nine things to me: ‘Do not associate anything with Allah, even if you are cut to pieces or burned. Do not abandon a prescribed prayer deliberately. Anyone who abandons it will forfeit Allah’s protection. Do not drink wine – it is the key to every evil. Obey your parents. If they command you to abandon your worldly possessions, then leave them for them. Do not contend with those in power, even if you think that you are in the right. Do not run away from the army when it is advances, even if you are killed while your companions run away. Spend on your wife out of your means. Do not raise a stick against your wife. Cause your family to fear Allah, the Almighty and Exalted.'”
Grade: Hasan (Sound)
Commentary: This hadeeth tells us about some of the harms that result from the iniquities it mentioned. It emphasizes the obligation of giving obedience to our parents in every situation and being ready to part with our possessions for their sake except when it entails sinfulness. And as regards what they could take from the wealth of their children, Allah’s Messenger ]r[ referred to them: “…they (i.e. the children) and their possessions are yours when you are in need of them.” However, explaining the hadeeth, Imam Al-Albaanee (الله رحمه (averred: “it is not without exception, that a father could take just whatever he desires from the wealth of his child; not at all. He should only take what he needs.” See: As-Saheehah (2564). This hadeeth also shows the necessity of spending on our wives, and teaching and enforcing Islamically acceptable patterns of behaviour. We should not leave the members of our household without discipline, but when they are, they must be treated in the best of ways. The husband has a huge responsibility to order his household to fear Allah – the Mighty and Exalted – and so, he must also fear Allah – the most High – regarding himself and in his dealings. The right teacher guides the student towards what benefits him and warns him against whatever may harm him.

19. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr said, “A man came to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said, ‘I have come to make you a pledge that will do hijra although I have left my parents in tears.” The Prophet said, ‘Go back to them and make them laugh as you made them cry.'”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)

20. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr said, “A man came to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, wanting to do jihad. The Prophet asked, ‘Are your parents alive?’ ‘Yes,’ he replied. he said, ‘Then exert yourself on their behalf.'”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: Imam An-Nawawee (الله رحمه (explained: “All this is evidence for the greatness of the virtue of being dutiful to them (i.e. the parents) and that it is given preference over jihad. It also contains evidence for the statement of the scholars that it is not permissible to go for jihad except with their permission if they are both Muslims.” Additionally, exerting oneself in the service of parents is also reffered to as jihad. The hadeeth evinces the fact that the leader should be in charge of organizing the matters of jihad; considering the conditions of each of the followers, and giving preponderance for issues of personal benefit over those of general benefit.

Chapter 10. The One who Fails his Parents will not enter the Garden

21. Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Disgrace! Disgrace! Disgrace!” They said, “Messenger of Allah, who?” He said, “The one who fails his parents or one of them when they are old will enter the Fire.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: Emphasy is shown in this hadeeth for kind treatment of and respect for parents, and the tremendous benefit that doing so entails: entrance into the Paradise and salvation from the Fire. The one who abandons his parents faces entrance into the Fire in disgrace – We seek Allah’s refuge from the Fire.

Chapter 11. Allah prolongs the life of someone who is dutiful towards his parents

22. Mu’adh said, “Bliss belongs to someone who is dutiful towards his parents. Allah Almighty will prolong his life.”
Grade: Da’eef (Weak)

Chapter 12. One does not ask forgiveness for his father if he is an idolater

23. Ibn ‘Abbas mentioned the words of the Almighty, “When one or both of them reach old age with you, do not say ‘Ugh!’ to them out of irritation and do not be harsh with them but speak to them with gentleness and generosity. Take them under your wing, out of mercy, with due humility and say: ‘Lord, show mercy to them as they did in looking after me when I was small.” (17:23-24) He said, “This was abrogated in Surat at-Tawba : ‘It is not right for the Prophet and those who have iman to ask forgiveness for the mushrikun even if they are close relatives after it has become clear to them that they are the Companions of the Blazing Fire.’ (9:113)”
Commentary: That is, the verse in al-Isra orders kindness to parents from which is seeking forgiveness for them after their death whether they were Muslims or not. So the verse in at-Tawba abrogated this ruling and prohibited seeking Allah’s forgiveness for one’s relatives amongst the non-Muslims which includes a polytheist father.

Chapter 13. Dutifulness towards a parent who is an idolater

24. Sa’id ibn Abi Waqqas said: “Four ayats were revealed about me. The first was when my mother swore she would neither eat nor drink until I left Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Allah Almighty revealed, ‘But if they try to make you associate something with Me about which you have no knowledge, do not obey them. Keep company with them correctly and courteously in this worldÉ’ (31:15) The second was when I took a sword that I admired and said, ‘Messenger of Allah, give me this!’ Then the ayat was revealed: ‘They will ask you about booty.’ (8:1) The third was when I was ill and the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, came to me and I said, ‘Messenger of Allah, I want to divide my property. Can I will away a half?’ He said, ‘No.’ ‘A third?’ I asked. He was silent and so after that it was allowed to will away a third. The fourth was when I had been drinking wine with some of the Ansar. One of them hit my nose with the jawbone of a camel. I went to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and Allah Almighty revealed the prohibition of wine.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: We learn from this hadeeth that one could tell others about Allah’s favors on him if it will not lead him to self-importance. The fact that the parents should not be followed when they order disbelief or any other act of disobedience to Allah the most High is also deduced from the hadeeth. Even when the parents do that, one should deal with them kindly, being mild and generous to them, inviting them to faith and obedience to Allah with good words and in a nice manner. In another wording of the same hadeeth collected by Al-Bukhaari and Muslim in their Saheehs, Allah’s Messengerﷺ said: “that you leave your heirs rich is better than leaving them poor, having to beg the people.” So, this hadeeth also points to the fact that, generally speaking, it is better to be rich through legitimate means than to remain poor, having to beg the people. Taking wine is prohibited “for it is the key to every evil”.

25. Asma’ bint Abi Bakr said, “In the time of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, my mother came to me hoping (I would be dutiful). I asked the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, ‘Do I have to treat her well?’ ‘Yes,’ he replied.”

Ibn ‘Uyayna said, “Then Allah revealed about her, ‘Allah does not forbid you from being good to those who have not fought you in the deen.’ (60:8)”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: This hadeeth indicates the eargerness of the companions (RA)to know the rulings of the religion, and that they gave preference for the religion whenever it conflicted with issues of family ties. The hadeeth also teach that the Muslim child should give maintenance to the non-Muslim parents as a matter of obligation and that family ties could be kept with nonMuslim relatives within the same limits. The visit of Asma’s mother to her in Madina was during the period of the Treaty of Hudaibiyya as is indicated in other wordings of the hadeeth.

26. Ibn ‘Umar said, “‘Umar saw a silk robe for sale. He said, ‘Messenger of Allah, would you buy this robe and wear it on Jumu’a and when delegations visit you?’ He replied, ‘Only a person who has no portion in the Next World could wear this.’ Then the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was given some robes made of the same material. He sent one of the robes to ‘Umar. ‘Umar exclaimed, ‘How can I wear it when you said what you said about it?’ The Prophet replied, ‘I did not give it to you so that you could wear it. You can sell it or give it to someone.’ ‘Umar sent it to a brother of his in Makka who had not yet become Muslim.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary:Umar’s proposal that the Messenger of Allahﷺ should wear the robe on such important occasions like the Friday or when delegations visit him was upheld by the Messengerﷺ; he only rejected the silk robe particularly, and any other prohibited dress or mode of dressing as is known from other narrations by extension. However, the hadeeth shows the permissibility of selling silk clothes, earning profit thereby and connecting ties of kinship with non-Muslim relatives by giving them gifts.

Chapter 14. A person should not revile his parents

27. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr said that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Reviling one’s parents is one of the great wrong actions.” They asked, “How could he revile them?” He said, “He reviles a man who then in turn reviles his mother and father.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: The Messenger of Allahﷺ ordered not to revile one’s parents by first uttering a stirring statement that invited the attention of the listener and showed the weight of the matter. Although it is against man’s innate disposition to revile his parents, his insult of another person’s parents could lead to that. As such, the hadeeth is evidence that a thing becomes forbidden if it basically leads to something forbidden.

28. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr said, “A man’s reviling his father is one of the major wrong actions in the sight of Allah Almighty.”
Grade: Hasan (Sound)
Commentary: The statement takes a cue from that of Allah’s Messengerﷺ in the hadeeth that just preceded.

Chapter 15. The punishment for disobeying parents

29. Abu Bakra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “There is no wrong action more likely to bring punishment in this world in addition to what is stored up in the Next World than oppression and severing ties of kinship.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: This hadeeth proves that retribution for sins is quickened against those who commit the sins depending on the sin committed, and that severing the ties of kinship and oppression are quicker to invite retribution than other sins. Conversely, “there is nothing regarding which Allah is obeyed that is quicker to bring reward as connecting the ties of kinship.” See: Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth is-Saheehah (978).

30. ‘Imran ibn Husayn said, “The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, ‘What do you say about fornication, drinking wine and theft?’ ‘Allah and His Messenger know best,’ we replied. He stated, ‘They are acts of outrage and there is punishment for them, but shall I tell you which is the greatest of the great wrong actions? Associating with Allah Almighty and disobeying parents.’ He had been reclining, but then he sat up and said, ‘and lying.'”
Grade: Da’eef (Weak)

Chapter 16. Making Parents weep

31. Ibn ‘Umar said, “Making parents weep is part of disobedience and one of the major wrong actions.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)

Chapter 17. The Supplication of Parents

32. Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Three supplications are answered without a doubt: the supplication of someone who is oppressed, the supplication of someone on a journey, and the supplication of parents for their children.”
Grade: Hasan (Sound)
Commentary: As for the oppressed it is due to the stress inflicted on him and his been dominated harshly. As regards the traveler, it is for his lonesomeness and toil in his journey. Regarding the parents, it is because after bearing the pains of pregnancy, childbirth and nursing, they look forward to the child with strong emotional attachments. The hadeeth warns against disappointing and annoying parents.

33. Abu Hurayra reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, “No human child has ever spoken in the cradle except for ‘Isa ibn Maryam, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the companion of Jurayj.” Abu Hurayra asked, “Prophet of Allah, who was the companion of Jurayj?” The Prophet replied, “Jurayj was a monk who lived in a hermitage. There was a cowherd who used to come to the foot of his hermitage and a woman from the village used to come to the cowherd.
“One day his mother came while he was praying and called out, ‘Jurayj!’ He asked himself, ‘My mother or my prayer?’ He concluded that he should prefer the prayer. She shouted to him a second time and he again asked himself, ‘My mother or my prayer?’ He thought that he should prefer the prayer. She shouted a third time and yet again he asked himself, ‘My mother or my prayer?’ He again concluded that he should prefer the prayer. When he did not answer her, she said, ‘Jurayj, may Allah not let you die until you have looked at the faces of the beautiful women.’ Then she left.

“Then the village woman was brought before the king after she had given birth to a child. He asked, ‘Whose is it?’ ‘Jurayj’s,’ she replied. He asked, ‘The man in the hermitage?’ ‘Yes,’ she answered. He ordered, ‘Destroy his hermitage and bring him to me.’ They hacked at his hermitage with axes until it collapsed. They bound his hand to his neck with a rope and took him along to the king. When he passed by the beautiful women, he saw them and smiled. They were looking at him along with the people.

“The king asked, ‘Do you know what this woman claims?’ ‘What does she claim?’ he asked. He replied, ‘She claims that you are the father of her child.’ He asked her, ‘Where is the child?’ They replied, ‘It is in her room.’ He went to the child and said, ‘Who is your father?’ ‘The cowherd,’ he replied. The king said, ‘Shall we build your hermitage out of gold?’ ‘No,’ he replied. He asked, ‘Of silver?’ ‘No,’ he replied. The king asked, ‘What shall we build it with?’ He said, ‘Put it back the way you found it.’ Then the king asked, ‘What made you smile.’ ‘Something I recognised,’ he replied, ‘The supplication of my mother overtook me.’ Then he told him about it.”
“The king asked, ‘Do you know what this woman claims?’ ‘What does she claim?’ he asked. He replied, ‘She claims that you are the father of her child.’ He asked her, ‘Where is the child?’ They replied, ‘It is in her room.’ He went to the child and said, ‘Who is your father?’ ‘The cowherd,’ he replied. The king said, ‘Shall we build your hermitage out of gold?’ ‘No,’ he replied. He asked, ‘Of silver?’ ‘No,’ he replied. The king asked, ‘What shall we build it with?’ He said, ‘Put it back the way you found it.’ Then the king asked, ‘What made you smile.’ ‘Something I recognised,’ he replied, ‘The supplication of my mother overtook me.’ Then he told him about it.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: This hadeeth teaches the following: (1) That a man remains in seclusion with a woman who is not his wife or those with whom he is permanently prohibited in marriage is a precursor to great evils. (2) That the supplication of Jurayj’s mother overtook him indicated that to respond to his mother’s call was more important. (3) The excellence of the scholar over the worshipper. Hafidh Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) said: If Jurayj were to be a scholar he would have known that responding to his mother is more important.” (4) Allah the Mighty and Exalted protects the truthful and provides them ways out of trials. However, this may be delayed in some instances so that they earn more reward for their patience and hope in Him during trials, or just as a way of further rectifying and purifying them. (5) It evinces the fact that Allah, the most High, grants Karaamaat (extra-ordinary events) to whomever He wills among His slaves as is the creed of the Ahl asSunnah wal-Jamaa’ah. (6) Whoever is in the position to discipline a person or people should do so with leniency for despite the fact that Jurayj’s mother was angry she did not supplicate that he should fall into sin with the harlots. (7) Children should desist from whatever will make them incur the anger of their parents as long as doing so does not entail sinfulness

Chapter 18. Offering Islam to a Christian mother

34. Abu Hurayra said, “Neither Jew nor Christian has heard me and then not loved me. I wanted my mother to become Muslim, but she refused. I told her about it and she still refused. I went to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said, ‘Pray to Allah for me.’ He did so and I went to her. She was inside the door of the house and said, ‘Abu Hurayra, I have become Muslim.’ I told the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and I asked, ‘Make supplication to Allah for me and my mother.’ He said, ‘O Allah, make people love Abu Hurayra and his mother.'”
Grade: Hasan (Sound)
Commentary: The hadeeth contains evidence that it is permissible to request a person whose knowledge and piety is trusted to supplicate for a non-Muslim to accept Islam. It also shows the merit of Abu Hurayra and his mother ,(and the importance of inviting one’s non-Muslim relatives to accept Islam employing supplications, good words and beautiful character.

Chapter 19. Dutifulness towards Parents after their Death

35. Abu Usayd said, “We were with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, when a man asked, ‘Messenger of Allah, is there any act of dutifulness which I can do for my parents after their death?’ He replied, ‘Yes. There are four things: Supplication for them, asking forgiveness for them, fulfilling their pledges, and being generous to friends of theirs. You only have ties of kinship through your parents.”
Grade: Da’eef (Weak)

36. Abu Hurayra said, “The dead person can be raised a degree after his death. He said, ‘My Lord, how is this?’ He was told, ‘Your child can ask for forgiveness for you.'”
Grade: Hasan (Sound)
Commentary: This contains evidence for upgrade of a person by virtue of his child’s supplication. Therefore, parents should ensure the proper upbringing of their wards upon the religion so that the children become sources of upgrade for them after their (i.e the parent’s) death.

37. Ibn Sirin said, “We were with Abu Hurayra one night and he said, ‘O Allah, forgive Abu Hurayra and his mother and whoever asks for forgiveness for both of them.'” Muhammad said, “We used to ask for forgiveness for them so that we would be included in Abu Hurayra’s supplication.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: The hadeeth clearly shows Abu Hurayra’s eargerness towards dutifulness to his mother; he sought Allah’s forgiveness for everyone who seeks Allah’s forgiveness for his mother. We beseech Allah the Mighty and Exalted to forgive us, our parents, Abu Hurayra and his mother and the rest of the Muslims.

38.Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “When a person dies, all action is cut off for him with the exception of three things: sadaqa which continues, knowledge which benefits, or a righteous child who makes supplication for him.”
Grade:Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: That is, the rewards for his deeds cease except from the angles mentioned. This is because they are actions with uninterrupted benefits and since they were from his deeds, he also continuously gets rewarded. Knowledge mentioned here includes beneficial knowledge which he taught and books, beneficial works he wrote, dictated, translated or even edited, for they remain over generations. The hadeeth shows the virtue of marrying with thve intention of having pious children therefrom and actually training the child upon the path of righteousness. Quite unfortunately, many hoard their wealth, giving only little or even nothing in any form of charity in the absurd notion that they are preserving the wealth!

39. Ibn ‘Abbas reported that a man said, “Messenger of Allah, my mother died without a will. Will it help her if I give sadaqa on her behalf?” “Yes,” he replied.
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: Preparing one’s will is urged in this hadeeth. It also shows the permissibility of giving charity on behalf of one’s parents and that doing so is actually from kindness to them. The importance of knowledge before action is also highlighted here

Chapter 20. The Dutifulness of someone who maintains what his father loved

40.‘Abdullah ibn Dinar reported that Ibn ‘Umar passed by a bedouin during a journey. The bedouin’s father had been a friend of ‘Umar’s. The bedouin said, “Am I not the son of so-and-so?” He said, “Yes, indeed.” Ibn ‘Umar ordered that he be given a donkey which was following him. He also took off his turban and gave it to him, One of the men with him said, “Wouldn’t two dirhams be enough for him?” He replied, “The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, ‘Maintain what your father loved. Do not cut it off so that Allah puts out your light.”
Grade: Da’eef (Weak)
Commentary: The report is authentically reported by Imam Muslim in his Saheeh, Ahmad in his Musnad and the author, Al-Bukhaari, in the narration that follows immediately after this with some difference in its text.

41. Ibn ‘Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “The strongest form of dutifulness is when a man maintains relations with the people his father loved.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: When Ibn ‘Umar (traveled he took along a donkey which he rode whenever he got bored on the camel. He gave the man his turban and the donkey. The virtue of maintaining such relations with the beloved ones of one’s father could be better taken bearing in mind that such relations bring about mentioning one’s father with good and praying for him. So it counts as from the child’s kindness to his parents. The hadeeth proves that good deeds are of categories.

Chapter 21. Do not cut off someone with whom your father maintained ties

42. Sa’d ibn ‘Ubada az-Zurqi reported that his father said, “I was sitting in the mosque in Madina with ‘Amr ibn ‘Uthman when ‘Abdullah ibn Salam walked by, leaning on his nephew. ‘Amr left the assembly and showed his concern for him.” Then Ibn Salam returned to them and said, “Do what you like, ‘Amr ibn ‘Uthman,” (and he said it two or three times) By the One who sent Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, with the Truth, it is in the Book of Allah Almighty (and he said it twice), ‘Do not cut off those your father has joined so that that extinguishes your light.'”
Grade: Da’eef (Weak)

Chapter 22. Love is inherited

43. Abu Bakr ibn Hazm reported that one of the Companions of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “It is enough that I tell you that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, ‘Love is inherited.'”
Grade: Da’eef (Weak)

Chapter 23. A man should not call his father by his name nor sit down before him nor walk in front of him

44. Abu Hurayra saw two men and said to one of them, “Who is this man in relation to you?” He is my father,” he replied. He said, “Do not call him by his own name nor walk in front of him nor sit down before him.”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: The child does that by way of honouring the parents. However, the child could walk ahead of him in circumstances where only doing so assures the child’s safety. Allah knows Best

Chapter 24. Can a man call his father by his kunya?

45.Shahr ibn Hawshab said, “We went out with Ibn ‘Umar and Salim said to him, ‘Peace, Abu ‘Abdu’r-Rahman.'”
Grade: Da’eef (Weak)

46.‘Abdullah ibn Dinar said reported that Ibn ‘Umar said, “But Abu Hafs ‘Umar decided…”
Grade: Saheeh (Authentic)
Commentary: The Kunya is a way of naming, common among the pious predecessors where a particular name, for example, Anas is prefixed by Abu or Umm to mean, ‘the father of Anas’ or ‘the mother of Anas’ respectively. Taking the Kunya is a means of showing respect for one another. The narration showed the permissibility to call one’s father using his (i.e. the father’s) Kunya.