Adab al-Mufrad

Benefits and Issues:
➊ Jihad has been described as the pinnacle of Islam, and migration (hijrah) becomes an expiation for a person's previous sins. The importance of both these actions is established in their own right, but if weak parents are in need of service, then serving them and making them happy is a cause of even greater virtue.

➋ This hadith also indicates that if a person is faced with two tasks and it is not possible to do both at the same time, then for preferring one over the other, he should consult someone who possesses knowledge and insight.

➌ The ruler of the time or the head of an organization should be aware of the domestic circumstances of his workers, and before sending them to any front, he should compare their domestic interests with the general interest, so that the system of their home is not disrupted.

➍ If the parents are Muslims and, for some reason, prevent their son from participating in jihad, then he should refrain until they are pleased with it. Furthermore, in this matter, the father and mother are equal. Hafiz Ibn Hajar rahimahullah states: There is consensus among the majority of scholars on this. Imam Nawawi rahimahullah states that showing kindness to parents and serving them is even more important than jihad.

➎ ((Fafihima fajahid))—Linguistically, every action in which a person exhausts himself can be described as jihad. Here, it means to strive against your own self in order to attain the pleasure of your parents and to tire yourself in their service. Hafiz Ibn Hajar rahimahullah writes: Its meaning is that if your parents are alive, then make every possible effort to show kindness and goodness to them—you will reach the rank of fighting the enemy. In general circumstances, jihad is a communal obligation (fard kifayah), and by the command of the leader, it becomes an individual obligation (fard ayn). In contrast, serving parents and showing kindness to them is always an individual obligation (fard ayn).

➏ In this command of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, there is also an indication that sometimes one must endure hardship in serving and showing kindness to parents; that is why their service has been described as jihad. It is necessary to act with patience and endurance in this matter.