Parents

Allah, the Wise, has said:

فَلاَ تَقُل لَهُما اُفٍّ وَ لاَ تَنْهَرهُما

Say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them.

[Holy Qur'an, ch. Al-Israa (17), vs. 23.]

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) said:

بِرُّ الْواَلِدَينِ اَفضَلُ مِنَ الصَّلاةِ وَ الصَّومِ وَ الْحَجِّ وَ الْعُمْرَةِ وَ الْجِهاَدِ فِی سَبِيلِ اللهِ

Kindness towards parents is better than prayers, fasts, Hajj, U'mrah and jihad in the path of Allah.

[Jaame' al-Sa'adaat, vol. 2, pg. 264.]

Short Explanation

In (several places in) the Qur'an, God has spoken about the very subtle issue of 'kindness towards the parents', attaching such immense importance to it that He has even said: Say not to them (so much as) "Ugh" nor chide them, and speak to them a generous word.

It is evident from this that it is not only forbidden to annoy parents in any way but it is obligatory to exhibit goodness and kindness towards them.  People who hurt their parents, even occasionally, must seek their forgiveness and happiness before they suffer the evil consequences. They should remember that their children, in turn, would ill-treat them too.

As for the repercussions in the Hereafter, the holy Prophet has said that if for every instance of hurting others one door of Hell opens up for man, then two doors of Hell will open up for he who causes inconvenience to his parents.

The Truthful Barber

The distinguished scholar, Sheikh Baqir Kadhimi, who lived near Najaf-e-Ashraf, narrates that a truthful barber, once related the following story:

I had an old father, whom I served diligently.  I exercised such great care never to be neglectful towards him, that I would even place water for him in the toilet and remain in wait outside till he emerged.  All throughout (the week) I would be watchful of him, except on Wednesday evenings when I would proceed to Masjid-e-Sahlah hoping to meet Imam Mahdi (a.s.).

One Wednesday I was very busy and did not find a spare moment until it was almost sunset.  Nevertheless, I set off towards Masjid-e-Sahlah alone in the dark.

It was a moonlit night and I still had one third of the journey to cover when suddenly I observed an Arab, seated on a horse, coming towards me.  I said to myself, "This Arab is surely going to loot me", but when he had come closer, he spoke in the local dialect, and sought to know where I was heading for.

I told him that I intended to go to Masjid-e-Sahlah, whereupon he inquired if I had anything with me to eat. When I replied that I did not, he spoke with some sternness, and said:

"You have some food in your pocket".

Putting my hand into my pocket, I found some raisins, which I had purchased for my son but had forgotten to give him.

The Arab then said:  "I recommend you to serve your father", and, repeating this three times, he suddenly disappeared.

It was only later that I realized that it was Imam Mahdi (a.s.) himself that I had seen and that he was not pleased that I stopped serving my father, even for the purpose of going to Masjid-e-Sahlah on Wednesday evenings.

Reference:

• Anecdotes For Reflection (Published by World Federation), Vol 1, Parents, Anecdote 4