Kindness to Parents — report 1

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa and Ali ibn Ibrahim from his father all from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from abu Wallad al-Hannat who has said the following: “I asked Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام about the meaning of ‘kindness’ in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . . and that you must be kind to your parents. . . .’ (17:23) The Imam said, ‘It means to behave with them in a good manner, not to make them ask you for help, even though they are self-sufficient. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “You can never have extended virtue and righteousness unless you spend part of what you dearly love for the cause of Allah.’” (3:92) “The narrator has said that the Imam then said, ‘The words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, “If either or both of your parents should become advanced in age, do not express to them words which show your slightest disappointment. Never shout at them but always speak to them with kindness,” (17:23) if they say harsh words to you, do not say ‘Uff (expression of disappointment) to them, and do not shout at them if they beat you. Allah has said, ‘Speak kind words to them.’ The Imam said, ‘If they beat you say to them, “May Allah forgive you,” and this will be the kind and noble word from you.’ Allah has said, “Be humble and merciful toward them. . . .” (17:24) The Imam said, ‘Do not have an eyeful look at them except with kindness and tender heart, do not raise your voice over their voice or your hands over their hands and do not walk in front of them.’”