Surah Al-Israa (17) — Ayah 23

(Ayah 23) ➊ {وَ قَضٰى رَبُّكَ اَلَّا تَعْبُدُوْۤا اِلَّاۤ اِيَّاهُ:} In the previous verse, after forbidding shirk, the word {’’ قَضٰى ‘‘} is used to emphasize exclusive worship of Himself, which contains the utmost emphasis, because a decision is final and unchangeable. Thus, it is said {’’ قَضٰى ‘‘} meaning a definitive command and decision has been made that none should be worshipped except Him, that is, remain only His servants, consider only Him as the possessor of unseen powers and ask only from Him. Adopt the utmost love and fear with the utmost humility only for Him. Every act of your heart, tongue, and every part of your body, such as standing, prostration, bowing, and sacrifice, in fact, your entire life, should be for Allah Almighty alone with such humility.

➋ {وَ بِالْوَالِدَيْنِ۠ اِحْسَانًا : ’’ اِحْسَانًا ‘‘} is the verbal noun of {’’ أَحْسِنُوْا‘‘}, which is for emphasis and comes in place of a command. The word "command" is not mentioned with it, but what is meant is an emphatic command, that is, do great good to your parents. {’’ اِمَّا ‘‘} is originally {’’ إِنْ مَا‘‘ }, {’’مَا‘‘} is for emphasis of the condition, meaning "if ever." At the time of the revelation of these verses, both the father and mother of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) had passed away, so the question of either or both reaching old age did not arise. It is clear that although the command appears to be addressed to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), the real command is for every person. Whether parents are old or young, in every situation, respecting them and speaking to them gently is obligatory, and rebuking them is a sin. However, since in old age the need for service increases and irritability develops in temperament, and sometimes due to extreme old age, senses are not in order, therefore, old age is specifically mentioned.

➌ Allah Almighty has, in several places, mentioned kindness to parents along with the emphasis on exclusive worship of Himself. See Surah An-Nisa (36) and Surah Al-Baqarah (83). In other places, it is clearly stated that good treatment of them is obligatory, whether they are disbelievers or polytheists, even if they call to shirk and disbelief. See Surah Luqman (15) and Surah Al-Ankabut (8). In hadiths as well, there is great emphasis on good treatment of parents. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ رَغِمَ أَنْفُ، ثُمَّ رَغِمَ أَنْفُ، ثُمَّ رَغِمَ أَنْفُ، قِيْلَ مَنْ يَا رَسُوْلَ اللّٰهِ !؟ قَالَ مَنْ أَدْرَكَ وَالِدَيْهِ عِنْدَ الْكِبَرِ، أَحَدَهُمَا أَوْ كِلَيْهِمَا ثُمَّ لَمْ يَدْخُلِ الْجَنَّةَ] [ مسلم، البر والصلۃ، باب رغم من أدرک أبویہ… : 2551/10 ] "May his nose be rubbed in dust, may his nose be rubbed in dust, may his nose be rubbed in dust." It was asked: "O Messenger of Allah! Whose?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The one who finds his parents in old age, one or both of them, and then does not enter Paradise."

➍ The meaning of {’’ عِنْدَكَ ‘‘} is that previously you were with your parents and dependent on them, now due to old age and weakness, they are with you and dependent on you. Therefore, do not even say "uff" to them, which is the mildest word of annoyance and disrespect, so how can it be permissible to say anything harsher than that?

➎ In the explanation of { قَوْلًا كَرِيْمًا:}, some scholars have depicted "a gracious word" as speaking to them as a guilty slave would speak to a harsh master, and some have said that just as in childhood they felt no aversion while cleaning your urine and feces, but rather did so with love, now you should treat them the same way. (Baghawi)