Rahmatullah Khan Shakir (1901-2000), Former Assistant Editor and Manager of Al Fazl
Among the traits Islam generated among the Companionsra was a high standard of obedience and service to parents. This trait was so remarkable in the Companionsra that it was irrespective of whether their parents were believers or non-believers.
The Companionsra served their parents duly and, in worldly matters, took every possible measure in seeking their pleasure. Save for religious matters, according to the teachings of Islam, they never ignored their desires whatsoever.
During Hazrat Uthman’sra Khilafat, the price of dates skyrocketed and hence, date palm too became very expensive. Once, Hazrat Usamara made a hole in a date palm and brought out its jimar (inner core) from it. Since the tree was now prone to drying out after the removal of its core, somebody asked as to why he was rendering the tree useless as the prices of trees were very high. He replied that he did it out of his mother’s desire and that he deemed it obligatory to fulfil her desires. (Tabqat Ibn Saad, Vol. 4, p. 71, Zikr Usamah bin Zaid)
A mother’s abuse towards the Holy Prophetsa
Hazrat Abu Hurairah’sra mother did not accept Islam. He continued preaching to her, but she would not accept.
One day, when he was preaching to her, she used some derogatory words for the Holy Prophetsa. Had it been someone else, the consequences would have been very grave as is evident from other incidents. But in this case, as she was a mother, he exhibited great patience. Yet still, he was so hurt that he started crying profusely. And to the Holy Prophetsa, he requested prayers for her guidance. (Sahih Muslim, Kitab Faza‘il al-Sahabah, Bab min Faza‘ili Abi Hurairah)
Not performing Hajj for looking after one’s mother
Despite the fact that Hazrat Abu Hurairah’sra mother was a non-believer, he could not perform Hajj as long as she remained alive lest in his absence, she suffered from some difficulty. (Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Nazr)
Performing actions against one’s principles for the sake of parents
During the civil war among the Muslims, Hazrat Abdullahra bin Umar bin Aas did not want to join in and fight against Hazrat Alira. But after his father insisted, he was compelled to join, albeit unwillingly. (Usdul-Ghabah, Vol. 3, p. 246)
Giving wealth to one’s parents
A companion went to the Holy Prophetsa and submitted, “O Prophetsa of Allah, I have an abundance of wealth, but my father is a poor man. Shall I give [my wealth] to him?” The Holy Prophetsa replied, “You and your wealth both belong to your father.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, Kitab al-Manaqib)
Another Companion dedicated his orchard to his mother. (Ibid)
Abdullah bin Abi Bakr’sra obedience to his father
Hazrat Abdullah bin Abi Bakrra loved his wife greatly. But this love once hindered him from joining in a battle. To see that his wife became a hindrance in his way of faith, Hazrat Abu Bakrra ordered him to divorce her. Complying with this command was difficult for him, but nevertheless, he could not disobey his father and so, he divorced her. Thereafter, he composed some deeply sorrowful poetic couplets which left a deep mark on Hazrat Abu Bakrra and thus, he allowed him to remarry her by means of ruju‘. (Usdul-Ghabah, Vol. 6, p. 183, Zikr Atikah bin Zaid)
About Hazrat Harithahra bin Suraqah, the writer of Usdul-Ghabah records:
كَانَ عَظِيْمُ الْبِرِّ بِاُمِّه
“He was very kind to his mother.” (Sair-e-Ansar, Vol. 1 p. 302)
(Translated by Shahid Mahmood Ahmad, Missionary in Ghana, from the original Urdu, Muslim Nau-jawanon kay Sunehri Karnamey)