السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
It’s Sunday 31st October 2021/25 Rabī’ul-Awwal 1443 H.
Let’s focus upon Children – Al-Birr today.
My Parents House post last Thursday was received very well, .مَا شَآءَ الله A very close friend of mine sent me a similarly themed post regarding children, which I found very useful. Let me share this beautiful post with you today: There are 5 types of children:
1 – The one who disobeys their parent’s orders, which is a great sin.
2 – A child who fulfils their parents’ orders, but is annoyed or displeased with it. They don’t gain any reward as a result.
3 – Does what he is told, but follows it up by raising his voice, or mentioning those favours; e.g. I have done so much for you, I am always doing ‘xyz’ for you. This type earns a sin.
4 – Those that do what they are told, happily and with commitment . This type will be rewarded, which is of the very few.
5 – The child who knows and fulfills their parents wishes before they are even told; i.e. dutiful and kind to his parents and will be successful in all his affairs. This type is rare.
As for the last two types, don’t ask about the barakah (blessings including time, wealth, health, efforts, etc.) which Allāh, سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ, puts in a person’s life. Something that seems to be a little, may come with a lot of good due to the barakah Allāh, سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ, has given this person.
These people will have tranquility in their hearts, and will find ease in all their affairs. May Allāh, سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ, give us the ability to be among these types of children, آَمِيّـٍـِـنْ.
The difficult question for every one of us is – what type of child would we classify as?
We shouldn’t be in the narrow mindset and think that simply kissing the forehead, hands, or even the feet of our parents, we would achieve their ultimate pleasure. Or by buying them an expensive gift or taking them somewhere nice.
How can we define Al-Birr (being dutiful and kind towards one’s parents)?
Al-Birr is to recognize what is in the heart of your parents and act upon it without waiting for an instruction.
Al-Birr is knowing what makes them happy, then racing towards doing it; and understanding what hurts them, then striving that they don’t ever see it from you!
Al-Birr could be in something that you feel your parents desire, and you bring it to them, even a cup of tea..
Al-Birr is that you ensure the comfort of your parents, even at the cost of your own happiness; so if staying out late will cause them worry and stress, then sleeping early is part of your birr (kindness) towards them.
Al-Birr is to plan a surprise ‘Umrah or Ḥajj trip for your parents and arranging a nice hotel which they deserve!
Al-Birr is to cheer up your parents – at an age where (for them) there does not remain a lot which brings them joy and happiness.
Al-Birr is to spend abundantly on your parents from your wealth even if they possess millions, without thinking twice about how much they own or whether they need it; for everything you have is only because of their hard work, and sleepless nights which they spent looking after you.
Al-Birr is to look for their comfort, and not let them exert effort to make you comfortable, because they have strived enough for your sake already.
There are many ways for Al-Birr, which lead to Jannah, so don’t restrict it to a single kiss on the forehead which may be followed up by many shortcomings.
و قَضَى رَبُّكَ أَلاَّ تَعْبُدُواْ إِلاَّ إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا
{And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment.} (Qur’ān 17:23)
May The Almighty make all children obedient to their parents and always keep all the parents happy and smiling, Āmeen.
جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا
Request for Du’ās
وَالسَّلَامُ Hanif Dudhwala