✿ Duties of Parents and Rights of Children in Islam
Written by: Qari Usama bin Abdus Salam (ḥafiẓahullāh)Islam commands parents to treat their children with love, justice, and compassion. These responsibilities are elaborated upon in the Qur'an, the Prophetic traditions (Ahadith), and the statements of the noble Companions.
① In the Light of the Qur'an
❖ Parental Kindness Towards Children
يُوصِيكُمُ اللَّهُ فِي أَوْلَادِكُمْ
(Surah an-Nisa: 11)
Translation: "Allah instructs you concerning your children..."
Explanation:
This verse emphasizes that parents must uphold the rights of their children and deal with them justly. It is a command to avoid injustice and transgression.
❖ Condemnation of Oppression
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ
(Surah Aal-e-Imran: 57)
Translation: "Indeed, Allah does not like the wrongdoers."
Explanation:
This verse indicates that oppression of any kind is forbidden, regardless of the recipient. Parents are therefore warned against oppressing their children, lest they fall into Allah’s displeasure.
② In the Light of Prophetic Traditions (Ahadith)
❖ Justice Among Children
اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَاعْدِلُوا بَيْنَ أَوْلَادِكُمْ
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No: 2587)
Translation: "Fear Allah and be just among your children."
Explanation:
This Hadith clearly instructs parents to refrain from all forms of favoritism or bias among their children.
❖ Condemnation of Injustice
اللَّهُمَّ إني أُحَرِّجُ حق الضعيفين: اليتيم والمرأة
(Sunan an-Nasa'i, Hadith No: 273)
Translation: "O Allah! I strongly emphasize the rights of the two weak ones: the orphan and the woman."
Explanation:
Although the Hadith refers to orphans and women, it serves as a general condemnation of injustice. Parents must refrain from any form of unfairness toward their children as well.
❖ Display of Parental Love
مَنْ لَا يَرْحَمْ لَا يُرْحَمْ
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No: 5997)
Translation: "He who does not show mercy, will not be shown mercy."
Explanation:
This Hadith encourages parents to treat their children with love, kindness, and compassion.
③ Statements of the Noble Companions (Ṣaḥābah)
❖ Sayyiduna ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه:
"He who trains his children well and raises them with justice shall attain success in both this world and the Hereafter."
(
Kanz al-ʿUmmāl, Hadith No: 45442)❖ Sayyiduna ʿAli ibn Abi Ṭālib رضي الله عنه:
"Treat your children with love and mercy, for they are a trust from Allah. If you wrong them, Allah will hold you accountable."
(
Nahj al-Balāghah)④ Views of the Jurists and Hadith Scholars
❖ Imām Nawawī رحمه الله:
"It is obligatory upon parents to deal justly with their children. If they commit oppression against them, they become liable to Allah’s punishment."
(
Sharḥ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)❖ Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله:
"Parents are obligated to treat their children kindly and fulfill their rights completely, for Allah has held them accountable for these rights."
(
Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā)⑤ Summary
Islamic teachings strongly emphasize the duties of parents towards their children in matters of love, fairness, and compassion.
✔ The Qur'an commands parents to uphold the rights of their children.
✔ The Prophetic Sunnah reinforces justice and affection as essential parental responsibilities.
✔ The Companions and scholars elaborated these duties, underscoring their importance.
✔ Parents who oppress their children will face accountability before Allah on the Day of Judgment.
❀ May Allah guide all parents to fulfill their duties and raise their children upon the path of righteousness. Ameen.
