Hadith Text and Context

This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari (5972) in the Book of Good Manners and Form (Al-Adab) presents a profound teaching regarding the hierarchy of virtuous deeds in Islam.

A companion approached the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) seeking permission for military jihad, demonstrating his enthusiasm for this noble endeavor. The Prophet's immediate response—inquiring about his parents' status—redirects his spiritual energy toward a more immediate and equally meritorious obligation.

Scholarly Commentary

The scholars explain that this hadith establishes "jihad al-walidayn" (jihad through serving parents) as taking precedence over military jihad when parents are alive and in need of care. Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani comments in Fath al-Bari that serving parents is among the greatest acts of obedience, equivalent to jihad in merit.

Al-Qurtubi elaborates that kindness to parents (birr al-walidayn) is a continuous form of worship that never ceases, whereas military jihad is a communal obligation (fard kifayah) that may not be required of every individual.

The wisdom behind this prioritization lies in recognizing the immediate rights of parents who have sacrificed for their children, making their service a more pressing religious duty than voluntary military engagement.

Legal and Spiritual Implications

This teaching establishes that serving one's parents is not merely a social courtesy but an act of worship equivalent to jihad in its spiritual reward.

Scholars derive from this that if military jihad is voluntary (nafil), then serving living parents takes clear precedence. Only when jihad becomes an individual obligation (fard 'ayn) due to imminent danger to the Muslim community would it supersede the duty to parents.

The comprehensive nature of jihad in Islam is thus demonstrated—encompassing both the struggle on the battlefield and the struggle to fulfill one's domestic responsibilities with excellence.