In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful   
May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you all.

Respecting and honoring our parents is not only an Islamic viewpoint, but a universal one. It is one of the most prominent lesson in the Holy Quran. Not only in the Quran is it greatly important, but narrations of Ahlul-Bayt have greatly emphasized on the importance of respecting parents. Regardless of one’s viewpoint we are forever indebted to our parents, particularly our mother. References to parents have been made at least 15 times in the Holy Qur'an. In the Holy Quran Allah states “Now (among the best of the deeds which) We have enjoined upon man is goodness towards his parents. In pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth; and her bearing him and his utter dependence on her took thirty months. And so, when he attains to full maturity and reaches forty years, he (that is righteous) prays: “O my Sustainer! Inspire me so that I may forever be grateful for those blessings of Thine with which Thou hast graced me and my parents, and that I may do what is right (in a manner) that will meet with Thy goodly acceptance; and grant me righteousness in my offspring (as well). Verily, unto Thee have I turned in repentance: for, verily, I am of those who have surrendered themselves unto Thee!”

This verse clearly and vividly embodies the importance of respecting and honoring our parents. It demonstrates the physical pain a mother endures in order to give birth. It portrays how being good to your parents will eventually lead to yourself having obedient kids. Our parents provided for all our needs: physical, educational, psychological, and in many instances, religious, moral, and spiritual. With that said it becomes obligatory for us to show the utmost kindness, respect, and obedience to our parents.

Allah also states “And your Lord has commanded that you shall not serve (any) but Him, and do good to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say not to them (so much as) “ugh” nor chide them, but (always) speak to them reverent speech.”

Allah has commanded that we worship God firstly, and obey our parents secondly. Gratitude to Allah (swt) and to parents go hand in hand. Gratitude to Allah (swt) is incomplete without showing gratitude to one's parents. Since being grateful to Allah (swt) is a form of ibadah (worship) which earns heavenly rewards, it can therefore be said that being grateful to one's parents also earns heavenly rewards. No one has the right to raise their voice higher than the voice of his parents - nor look towards them even eye to eye - nor walk in advance of them - nor address them with their names.

The prophet (PBUH) has referred to respecting parents on many occasions. Some of these quotes are, "Paradise lies under the feet of the mother."And "Allah's pleasure is in the pleasure of the father, and Allah's displeasure is in the displeasure of the father." And "He who wishes to enter Paradise through its best door must please his parents."

Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (A.S.), the great-great-grandson of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) is reported to have quoted Imam 'Ali (A.S.) that, "disobedience to parents is a major sin." He also stated that, "if a person looks at the face of his or her parents with wrathful eyes, despite the fact that injustice was done to him or her by the parents, his or her salah (prayer) will not be accepted by Allah." 

It has also been related that the very first words which have been written on the Lauh-e-Mahfuz (The Heavenly Preserved Tablet) are: 

"I am Allah, and there is no deity except Me. I am pleased with those with whom their parents are pleased, and I am displeased with those with whom their parents are displeased." 

'Ali ibn al-Husain (A.S.) is reported to have said: "The right of your mother on you is that you should know that nobody could endure the trouble and the conditions under which she protected you and nourished you with the juice of her life, and tried with her heart and soul to satisfy all your needs in relation to hunger, thirst, dress, etc. She passed sleepless nights, suffering anxieties. She provided you with shelter against heat and cold, and protected you from ailments. It is not possible for you to compensate her, or thank her enough for all the services, except that Allah may give you guidance for that. The right of your father on you is that you should know that it is he who brought you into existence, and you are a branch of the tree of his life."

Here the Imam states in a very beautiful as well as eloquent way the rights of our mother on us, and all the suffering she endured for our well-being.

With that said, let us pray together that Allah keeps us on the right path, and that he guides us to be respectful, kind, and obedient to our parents, and that we continue to show them humility regardless of the power, position, wealth, and influence we may possess.