Family
Being Good to Parents in Islam: Quran Verses and Hadith
What the Quran and Sahih al-Bukhari say about honouring your parents, why the mother is mentioned three times, and practical ways to show kindness to them.
Reviewed by the Nouf Quran Academy teaching team · Updated
In the Quran, kindness to parents is mentioned directly after the command to worship Allah alone. That placement tells you how serious it is.
۞وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعۡبُدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلۡوَٰلِدَيۡنِ إِحۡسَٰنًاۚ إِمَّا يَبۡلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ ٱلۡكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوۡ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفّٖ وَلَا تَنۡهَرۡهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوۡلٗا كَرِيمٗا وَٱخۡفِضۡ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ ٱلذُّلِّ مِنَ ٱلرَّحۡمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ٱرۡحَمۡهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرٗا
“And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, "My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small”
Your mother, your mother, your mother
Narrated Abu Huraira:A man came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Who is more entitled to be treated with the best companionship by me?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Your mother." The man said. "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man further said, "Who is next?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Your mother." The man asked for the fourth time, "Who is next?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Your father
وَوَصَّيۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيۡهِ حَمَلَتۡهُ أُمُّهُۥ وَهۡنًا عَلَىٰ وَهۡنٖ وَفِصَٰلُهُۥ فِي عَامَيۡنِ أَنِ ٱشۡكُرۡ لِي وَلِوَٰلِدَيۡكَ إِلَيَّ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ
“And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination”
Among the deeds most loved by Allah
Narrated `Abdullah:I asked the Prophet (ﷺ) "Which deed is the dearest to Allah?" He replied, "To offer the prayers at their early stated fixed times." I asked, "What is the next (in goodness)?" He replied, "To be good and dutiful to your parents" I again asked, "What is the next (in goodness)?" He replied, 'To participate in Jihad (religious fighting) in Allah's cause." `Abdullah added, "I asked only that much and if I had asked more, the Prophet (ﷺ) would have told me more
Practical ways to honour your parents
- Speak gently — the Quran forbids even saying “uff” to them.
- Call or visit regularly, especially as they grow older.
- Make dua for them daily: “My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up when I was small.”
- Help them learn or revise the Quran — many of our adult students are parents and grandparents learning with their children.
Frequently asked questions
Which parent has more right in Islam?
The Prophet ﷺ was asked who most deserves good companionship and answered “Your mother” three times, then “Your father” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5971).
What dua can I make for my parents?
“Rabbi irhamhuma kama rabbayani saghira” — “My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up when I was small” (Quran 17:24).