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تاريخ الميلاد : 30/03/1992
تاريخ التسجيل : 14/11/2009
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 |  موضوع: "You're Still My Parents"  السبت نوفمبر 21, 2009 4:50 am | |
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Islam,
being the religion of morality, calls for and encourages healthy
relationships among all members of the human family. This is simply
because Islam considers all humans as sons and daughters of the same
father and mother: Adam and Eve.
Muslims, in particular, are
asked by Islam to perfect their manners and behavior. This is
especially important in social relations. With friends, neighbors,
acquaintances, relatives, and close family members, Musalims are
ordered to avoid foul and hurtful language.
To anchor this
universal message, the Qur'an asks Muslims to speak kindly to all
people, especially parents or other close family members. Allah
Almighty says what can be translated as
[and speak kindly to mankind] (Al-Baqarah 2:83)
In
regards to the parent-child relationship in general, and that between a
Muslim and his or her non-Muslim parents in particular, the approach
need be one of mercy and compassion.
Unfortunately, many young
men and women break away from their families right after their
conversions, saying that it is of no use continuing to associate or
live with a "kafir" (disbelieving) family. They mistakenly think that
rejecting their non-Muslim family is the only way to safeguard their
faith.
There are, on the other hand, successful examples of
mercy and tolerance with non-Muslim parents. With patience and
kindness, some sons and daughters have succeeded in removing the hatred
from their parents' hearts towards Islam and Muslims. Some others have
even managed to win over their parents' hearts as they eventually came
to embrace Islam.
Of course, these approaches need time and
wisdom to bring about fruitful results. The task is not an easy one. It
was even practiced by Prophet Abraham with his father. The Qur'an
referred to this saying,
[Also mention in the Book (the story
of) Abraham: He was a man of truth, a prophet. Behold, he said to his
father: "O my father! why worship that which heareth not and seeth not,
and can profit thee nothing? O my father! to me hath come knowledge
which hath not reached thee: so follow me: I will guide thee to a way
that is even and straight. O my father! serve not Satan: for Satan is a
rebel against (Allah) Most Gracious. O my father! I fear lest a Penalty
afflict thee from (Allah) Most Gracious, so that thou become to Satan a
friend." (The father) replied: "Dost thou hate my gods, O Abraham? If
thou forbear not, I will indeed stone thee: Now get away from me for a
good long while!" He said: "Peace be on thee: I will pray to my Lord
for thy forgiveness: for He is to me Most Gracious.] (Maryam 19:41-47)
If
we ponder the meanings of the above Qur'anic verses, in the context of
the father-son relationship whereby the latter has a new faith, we can
deduce the following:
1. The Qur'anic discourse highlights the
respectful and merciful attitude of a believing son (Prophet Abraham,
peace be upon him) to his disbelieving and obstinate father.
Throughout, the son tries his best to address his father in a very
respectable and honorable way.
2. The second verse stresses the
extent to which a believing son, whose heart is thoroughly penetrated
by the light of guidance, is keen to snatch his father from the abyss
of disbelief and bewilderment. The son addresses his father very
politely. The son declares that he was blessed with a divine guidance
that did not reach his father, and so he calls upon his dear father to
follow this guidance.
3. The third and fourth verses describe
the son. He is emotionally affected as a result of his father's
insistence on worshiping idols because such sins will lead to Allah's
punishment in the hereafter.
4. The fifth verse describes the
father's resentful reaction, to the extent that he threatens to isolate
himself from his son or even stone him to death.
5. The sixth
verse describes the positive attitude of the son. After trying all
possible avenues to convince his father of the truth of the message,
the son leaves his father with a peaceful farewell. The son leaves
without either hurting his father's feelings or imposing his ideology
in any way.
From the above, we can summarize the Qur'anic lessons stated in the above verses as follows:
1.
The Qur'an wants us to exercise patience in promoting our good causes
and ambitions. This patience is especially needed when we are faced
with possible confrontations with our parents upon choosing Islam as a
new faith and way of life.
2. The Qur'an sets an example of how
we should apply wisdom while tolerating the misbehavior of others. When
it comes to parents, we need to be extra cautious in order to gain
Allah's mercy and forgiveness. Many Qur'anic verses urge us to deal
honorably with our parents even if they happen to be non-Muslims.
3.
The Qur'an urges us to endear ourselves to our close relatives,
especially when they are non-Muslims who are prone to accept or reject
Islam based on the responsible or irresponsible behavior they see.
4.
The Qur'an wants us to tolerate and overcome differences. Diversity in
opinions and differences in attitudes will always occur between
different generations, but the most successful party is the one who
easily tolerates the other. Thus, let us learn a true example of
tolerance and understanding from Prophet Abraham's example and the way
he addressed his father in the above verses.
5. The Qur'an
demonstrates wonderful examples in how to show gratitude and kindness.
Prophet Abraham and his father both have two opposing dogmas, yet
Abraham managed to demonstrate the gratitude and kindness due to his
father. Therefore, the minor differences in daily activities and the
lack of understanding between our parents and ourselves are problems
with attainable solutions.
Finally, the Qur'an enjoins us in every age and time to exert our utmost to please our parents saying,
[And
We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail upon
travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning:
(hear the command), "Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is
(thy final) Goal.] (Luqman 31:14)
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