Restore Joy to Those Who Raised You
📖Sunan Abī Dāwūd 2528
Abdullah ibn Amr reported: A man came to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and he said, “I have come to pledge allegiance to you upon emigration, and I left my parents weeping.” The Prophet said, “Return to them and make them laugh, just as you made them cry.
- The hadith highlights the importance of considering parents’ feelings.
- Even though the man was performing a noble act (pledging allegiance), his parents’ distress was a real concern that needed attention.
- The Prophet ﷺ advised balancing devotion with compassion, showing that fulfilling duties should not ignore the emotional well-being of loved ones.
- Making parents happy again restores harmony in family relationships, which is a key part of Islamic ethics.
Lessons for Today:
- Emotional care matters: Being mindful of parents’ feelings is as important as performing righteous deeds.
- Balance faith and family: Religious acts are not meant to create unnecessary sorrow at home.
- Reconciliation is virtuous: If someone’s actions cause distress, restoring happiness is recommended.
Quranic Context:
📖Quran 31:14
And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.
📖Quran 17:23
And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age with you, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor repel them, but speak to them a noble word.
📖Quran 46:15
…We enjoin upon man [care] for his parents. His mother bore him with hardship and gave birth with hardship. His bearing and weaning [period] is thirty months.