سُوْرَةُ الإِسۡرَاءِ
Surah Al-Israa (17) — Ayah 24
وَٱخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ ٱلذُّلِّ مِنَ ٱلرَّحْمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ٱرْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِى صَغِيرًا ﴿24﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: "My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young."
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَٱخْفِضْ
wa-ikh'fiḍ
And lower
لَهُمَا
lahumā
to them
جَنَاحَ
janāḥa
(the) wing
ٱلذُّلِّ
l-dhuli
(of) humility
مِنَ
mina
(out) of
ٱلرَّحْمَةِ
l-raḥmati
[the] mercy
وَقُل
waqul
and say
رَّبِّ
rabbi
My Lord
ٱرْحَمْهُمَا
ir'ḥamhumā
Have mercy on both of them
كَمَا
kamā
as
رَبَّيَانِى
rabbayānī
they brought me up
صَغِيرًۭا
ṣaghīran
(when I was) small
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 24) ➊ {وَ اخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ مِنَ الرَّحْمَةِ : ’’ جَنَاحَ ‘‘} refers to the wing of a bird and also to the arm. The meaning is that just as a bird lowers its wings over its young ones, taking them into its embrace and protecting them from every hardship and difficulty, in the same way, you too should lower the wings of humility over them out of mercy. Here, it is noteworthy that Allah Almighty has not emphasized the rights of children as He has emphasized the rights of parents, because naturally, there is compassion and love in the hearts of parents for their children. However, He has forbidden the oppression that they used to commit against their children. This will be mentioned ahead in verse (31) of this Surah.
➋ { وَ قُلْ رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيٰنِيْ صَغِيْرًا:} It is understood from this that praying to Allah Almighty for mercy for the parents is obligatory, because this is Allah’s command. Therefore, during their lifetime and after their death, one must pray for them daily, either with these words or with other words, as is the prayer of Ibrahim (peace be upon him): «رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِيْ وَ لِوَالِدَيَّ وَ لِلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ۠ يَوْمَ يَقُوْمُ الْحِسَابُ » [ إبراہیم : ۴۱ ] “Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents and the believers on the Day when the reckoning will be established.” Except if any of them died upon disbelief, then after their death, seeking forgiveness for them is not permissible. {’’ رَبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيٰنِيْ‘‘} The excellence of this prayer is that while praying with these words, the remembrance of the parents’ nurturing in childhood demands more sincerity and effort in supplicating for them.
➋ { وَ قُلْ رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيٰنِيْ صَغِيْرًا:} It is understood from this that praying to Allah Almighty for mercy for the parents is obligatory, because this is Allah’s command. Therefore, during their lifetime and after their death, one must pray for them daily, either with these words or with other words, as is the prayer of Ibrahim (peace be upon him): «رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِيْ وَ لِوَالِدَيَّ وَ لِلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ۠ يَوْمَ يَقُوْمُ الْحِسَابُ » [ إبراہیم : ۴۱ ] “Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents and the believers on the Day when the reckoning will be established.” Except if any of them died upon disbelief, then after their death, seeking forgiveness for them is not permissible. {’’ رَبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيٰنِيْ‘‘} The excellence of this prayer is that while praying with these words, the remembrance of the parents’ nurturing in childhood demands more sincerity and effort in supplicating for them.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
24. 1. When a bird takes its young ones under the shade of its compassion, it lowers its wings for them; that is, you should also treat your parents with such goodness and compassion, and care for them in the same way as they cared for you in your childhood. Or it means that when a bird intends to fly and rise high, it spreads its wings, and when it descends, it lowers its wings. In this sense, the meaning of lowering the wings would be to express humility and submissiveness before the parents.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
24. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy, and say: "My Lord, have mercy on them as they raised me (with love and compassion) when I was small [27]."
[27]
What Does Good Conduct Toward Parents Mean?
Why did Allah the Exalted mention the parents immediately after Himself? That is, your conduct toward your parents should be like that of a slave toward his master. Treat them with respect and humility, and at the same time, keep praying to Allah the Exalted for mercy and forgiveness for them. Because they were the cause of your upbringing and nurturing. From here, it becomes clear why in the Noble Quran, Allah the Exalted mentioned good conduct toward parents immediately after His own mention. The reason is that the Lord of the universe is the Sustainer of everything. He created the earth, air, water, sun, moon, etc. Then He sent down rain and made all the necessities of human life dependent on the earth. In this way, the true Sustainer and Nurturer of humans, all living beings, and everything else is Allah, the Lord of all worlds. After that, He made the apparent means of a human’s upbringing his parents. And it is evident that the human child is raised with much more difficulty than the offspring of any animal. The young of other animals start walking as soon as they are born. Then, heat, cold, or rain do not affect them as much as they affect a human child. The young of other animals do not fall ill as quickly as a human child does. Then the mother stays awake at night, sacrificing her own comfort for the child’s comfort. The father bears the expenses of both the child and his mother and fully cooperates in the child’s upbringing. Only then does the human child grow up. And the truth is, if Allah the Exalted had not placed such immense love and selflessness for their children in the hearts of parents, a human child could never be raised. Now, if a person leaves his parents helpless in their old age, does not pay attention to them, or behaves disrespectfully toward them, what could be a greater injustice and oppression than this? This is a very important chapter of social life, about which worldly people have always remained heedless, but Islam has drawn full attention to it. The purpose of the prayer is: O Allah! I am unable to fully fulfill their right of service, so You bestow Your mercy upon them in their old age and after their death. Now, in this regard, we present a few sayings of the Prophet ﷺ:
A Few Hadiths Regarding Good Conduct Toward Parents:
1. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud ؓ says that I asked the Prophet ﷺ, “O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Which deed is most beloved to Allah?” He replied, “Performing prayer at its proper time.” I asked, “Then which?” He said, “Good conduct toward parents.” I asked, “Then which?” He said, “Striving in the way of Allah.” [بخاري۔ كتاب الادب]
2. Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah ؓ says that a man asked the Prophet ﷺ, “Who is most deserving of my good conduct?” He replied, “Your mother.” He asked, “Then who?” He replied, “Your mother.” He asked, “Then who?” He replied, “Your mother.” He asked a fourth time, “Then who?” The Prophet ﷺ replied, “Your father.” [بخاری۔ کتاب الادب من احق الناس بحسن الصحبۃ]
3. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar ؓ says that the Prophet ﷺ said, “The greatest sin is that a man abuses his parents.” The people asked, “O Messenger of Allah! Does anyone abuse his parents?” He replied, “Abusing one’s parents is that a man abuses another’s father or mother, so in return, that person abuses his father or mother.” [بخاری۔ کتاب الادب باب لایسب الرجل والدیہ]
4. Once the Prophet ﷺ said to the noble Companions ؓ, “Shall I not inform you of the greatest of the major sins?” We said, “Certainly, O Messenger of Allah!” He ﷺ said, “Associating partners with Allah, disobedience to parents, telling lies, giving false testimony. Listen! Telling lies, giving false testimony.” He kept repeating this until I thought he would not stop. [بخاری، کتاب الادب، باب عقوق الوالدین]
5. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar ؓ says that a man said to the Prophet ﷺ, “I want to go for jihad.” The Prophet ﷺ asked him, “Are your parents alive?” He replied, “Yes.” The Prophet ﷺ said, “Then serve them (that is your jihad).” [بخاری، کتاب الادب، باب لایجاہد الاباذن الابؤین]
6. Sayyida Asma bint Abi Bakr says that her mother came to her in Madinah and she was a disbeliever. I asked the Prophet ﷺ, “O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Should I maintain ties of kinship with her?” The Prophet ﷺ replied, “Certainly.” [بخاری، کتاب الادب، باب صلۃ الوالد المشرک]
[27]
What Does Good Conduct Toward Parents Mean?
Why did Allah the Exalted mention the parents immediately after Himself? That is, your conduct toward your parents should be like that of a slave toward his master. Treat them with respect and humility, and at the same time, keep praying to Allah the Exalted for mercy and forgiveness for them. Because they were the cause of your upbringing and nurturing. From here, it becomes clear why in the Noble Quran, Allah the Exalted mentioned good conduct toward parents immediately after His own mention. The reason is that the Lord of the universe is the Sustainer of everything. He created the earth, air, water, sun, moon, etc. Then He sent down rain and made all the necessities of human life dependent on the earth. In this way, the true Sustainer and Nurturer of humans, all living beings, and everything else is Allah, the Lord of all worlds. After that, He made the apparent means of a human’s upbringing his parents. And it is evident that the human child is raised with much more difficulty than the offspring of any animal. The young of other animals start walking as soon as they are born. Then, heat, cold, or rain do not affect them as much as they affect a human child. The young of other animals do not fall ill as quickly as a human child does. Then the mother stays awake at night, sacrificing her own comfort for the child’s comfort. The father bears the expenses of both the child and his mother and fully cooperates in the child’s upbringing. Only then does the human child grow up. And the truth is, if Allah the Exalted had not placed such immense love and selflessness for their children in the hearts of parents, a human child could never be raised. Now, if a person leaves his parents helpless in their old age, does not pay attention to them, or behaves disrespectfully toward them, what could be a greater injustice and oppression than this? This is a very important chapter of social life, about which worldly people have always remained heedless, but Islam has drawn full attention to it. The purpose of the prayer is: O Allah! I am unable to fully fulfill their right of service, so You bestow Your mercy upon them in their old age and after their death. Now, in this regard, we present a few sayings of the Prophet ﷺ:
A Few Hadiths Regarding Good Conduct Toward Parents:
1. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud ؓ says that I asked the Prophet ﷺ, “O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Which deed is most beloved to Allah?” He replied, “Performing prayer at its proper time.” I asked, “Then which?” He said, “Good conduct toward parents.” I asked, “Then which?” He said, “Striving in the way of Allah.” [بخاري۔ كتاب الادب]
2. Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah ؓ says that a man asked the Prophet ﷺ, “Who is most deserving of my good conduct?” He replied, “Your mother.” He asked, “Then who?” He replied, “Your mother.” He asked, “Then who?” He replied, “Your mother.” He asked a fourth time, “Then who?” The Prophet ﷺ replied, “Your father.” [بخاری۔ کتاب الادب من احق الناس بحسن الصحبۃ]
3. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar ؓ says that the Prophet ﷺ said, “The greatest sin is that a man abuses his parents.” The people asked, “O Messenger of Allah! Does anyone abuse his parents?” He replied, “Abusing one’s parents is that a man abuses another’s father or mother, so in return, that person abuses his father or mother.” [بخاری۔ کتاب الادب باب لایسب الرجل والدیہ]
4. Once the Prophet ﷺ said to the noble Companions ؓ, “Shall I not inform you of the greatest of the major sins?” We said, “Certainly, O Messenger of Allah!” He ﷺ said, “Associating partners with Allah, disobedience to parents, telling lies, giving false testimony. Listen! Telling lies, giving false testimony.” He kept repeating this until I thought he would not stop. [بخاری، کتاب الادب، باب عقوق الوالدین]
5. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar ؓ says that a man said to the Prophet ﷺ, “I want to go for jihad.” The Prophet ﷺ asked him, “Are your parents alive?” He replied, “Yes.” The Prophet ﷺ said, “Then serve them (that is your jihad).” [بخاری، کتاب الادب، باب لایجاہد الاباذن الابؤین]
6. Sayyida Asma bint Abi Bakr says that her mother came to her in Madinah and she was a disbeliever. I asked the Prophet ﷺ, “O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Should I maintain ties of kinship with her?” The Prophet ﷺ replied, “Certainly.” [بخاری، کتاب الادب، باب صلۃ الوالد المشرک]
