associating others with Allah, killing someone, desertionfrom the army when it is advancing, slandering a chaste woman, usury, consumingan orphan's property, heresy in the mosque, scoffing, and causing one's parentsto weep through disobedience.' Ibn 'Umar then said to me, 'Do you wish toseparate yourself from the Fire? Would you like to enter Paradise?' 'By Allah,yes!' I replied. He asked, 'Are your parents still alive?' I replied, 'Mymother 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.'"
The Greatness of Parental Rights
This narration from Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 8 establishes the profound status of parents in Islam, particularly highlighting the mother's position. The Prophet ﷺ enumerates the major sins, then Ibn 'Umar specifically emphasizes kindness to parents as a means of entering Paradise.
Scholarly Commentary on Parental Obedience
Classical scholars explain that causing parents to weep through disobedience ranks among the gravest sins because it combines ingratitude with emotional harm to those who showed utmost compassion. The mother receives special mention due to her unique sacrifices in childbirth and upbringing.
Ibn 'Umar's specific question about the mother being alive indicates her superior right to kindness, as established in the famous hadith where the Prophet ﷺ repeated "your mother" three times before mentioning the father when asked about who most deserves good companionship.
Practical Implementation of Filial Piety
Scholars clarify that "speaking gently" encompasses tone, content, and manner of speech, while "feeding her" includes providing all necessary sustenance, comfort, and care. This combination of verbal respect and physical provision constitutes comprehensive birr al-wālidayn (filial piety).
The condition "as long as you avoid the major wrong actions" indicates that while honoring parents is tremendously rewarding, it does not absolve one from other religious obligations. The path to Paradise requires both fulfilling rights towards Allah and towards His creation, with parents having among the highest rights.