Author: Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman A‘zami (رحمه الله)
Allah the Exalted says:
﴿وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حُسْنًا ۖ وَإِن جَاهَدَاكَ لِتُشْرِكَ بِي مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا ۚ إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ﴾
[Surah Al-‘Ankabut: 8]
We have instructed man to treat his parents with kindness. But if they strive to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them. To Me is your return, then I will inform you of what you used to do.
Allah the Exalted also says:
﴿وَإِن جَاهَدَاكَ عَلَىٰ أَن تُشْرِكَ بِي مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا ۖ وَصَاحِبْهُمَا فِي الدُّنْيَا مَعْرُوفًا ۖ وَاتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ مَنْ أَنَابَ إِلَيَّ ۚ ثُمَّ إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ﴾
[Surah Luqman: 15]
But if they strive to make you associate with Me what you have no knowledge of, do not obey them. But accompany them in this world with kindness, and follow the way of those who turn to Me. Then to Me will be your return, and I will inform you of what you used to do.
Narrated by Asma bint Abi Bakr (رضي الله عنهما):
My mother, who was a polytheist, came to me during the time of the Prophet ﷺ, and a treaty was in place between the Prophet ﷺ and the Quraish. I asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: "My mother has come to visit me and she is inclined (towards me), should I maintain relations with her?" The Prophet ﷺ said: "Yes, maintain relations with your mother."
[Agreed Upon: Bukhari 2620, Muslim 103, also Bukhari 5978]
Narrated by Abu Hurairah:
Once the Messenger of Allah ﷺ passed by ‘Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul, who was sitting in the shade of a tree. He (mockingly) said, “Ibn Abi Kabsha (i.e. the Prophet ﷺ) has stirred up dust against us.” His son, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abdullah, said: “By the One who has honored you and revealed the Book to you, if you command me, I will bring you his head.”
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “No, but be dutiful to your father and maintain good companionship with him.”
[Hasan: Reported by Ibn Hibban in his Sahih (428) and Al-Bazzar, Kashf al-Astar (2708)]
❖ Chapter: The Command to Maintain Ties with Parents Even if They Are Polytheists
Kindness Towards Polytheist Parents is Also Obligatory
Allah the Exalted says:
﴿وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حُسْنًا ۖ وَإِن جَاهَدَاكَ لِتُشْرِكَ بِي مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا ۚ إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ﴾
[Surah Al-‘Ankabut: 8]
We have instructed man to treat his parents with kindness. But if they strive to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them. To Me is your return, then I will inform you of what you used to do.
Allah the Exalted also says:
﴿وَإِن جَاهَدَاكَ عَلَىٰ أَن تُشْرِكَ بِي مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا ۖ وَصَاحِبْهُمَا فِي الدُّنْيَا مَعْرُوفًا ۖ وَاتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ مَنْ أَنَابَ إِلَيَّ ۚ ثُمَّ إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ﴾
[Surah Luqman: 15]
But if they strive to make you associate with Me what you have no knowledge of, do not obey them. But accompany them in this world with kindness, and follow the way of those who turn to Me. Then to Me will be your return, and I will inform you of what you used to do.
❖ Hadith Evidence on Maintaining Ties with Polytheist Parents
Narrated by Asma bint Abi Bakr (رضي الله عنهما):
My mother, who was a polytheist, came to me during the time of the Prophet ﷺ, and a treaty was in place between the Prophet ﷺ and the Quraish. I asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: "My mother has come to visit me and she is inclined (towards me), should I maintain relations with her?" The Prophet ﷺ said: "Yes, maintain relations with your mother."
[Agreed Upon: Bukhari 2620, Muslim 103, also Bukhari 5978]
Narrated by Abu Hurairah:
Once the Messenger of Allah ﷺ passed by ‘Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul, who was sitting in the shade of a tree. He (mockingly) said, “Ibn Abi Kabsha (i.e. the Prophet ﷺ) has stirred up dust against us.” His son, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abdullah, said: “By the One who has honored you and revealed the Book to you, if you command me, I will bring you his head.”
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “No, but be dutiful to your father and maintain good companionship with him.”
[Hasan: Reported by Ibn Hibban in his Sahih (428) and Al-Bazzar, Kashf al-Astar (2708)]
